Glasgow and The Disapproving Neighbours 18 At Last! Whose Round is it?

by jimbopip Thu 07 Sep 2017, 1:42 pm

First topic message reminder :

I'll Put A Funny Sub-Title Here

Insert funny image here, probably of a genuine Glaswegian; none of your See-an Canary nonsense here.

Insert an image summing up the pretentiousness of Luvviedom. Grant Gilchrist in a kilt eating shortbread?

Add some statistics; time elapsed, in decades, since Ickle Jonny missed a tackle. Time elapsed, in eons, since someone stayed awake for the whole 80 minutes at the Library.

Make some witty banterish comment to start the ball rolling.

See! How hard was that? Hug

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue 28 Nov 2017, 5:30 pm

You watched him play right?

by **RDW** Tue 28 Nov 2017, 8:06 pm

Regularly! You really think he was playing well for Glasgow near the end of his time there? If so why did they get rid of him??

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue 28 Nov 2017, 9:24 pm

Yes and saw him at Scotstoun last April dish it out to the Warriors only just not quite enough to secure the 1872. Did he score all the points apart from one of the other Warriors ruined by The Luvvies - Glenn Bryce ? Now whether it is the booze culture or total lack of any team atmosphere, who knows. Players going the other way go in the opposite direction - i.e. upwards. I don't think I need list them for you.

by **RDW** Tue 28 Nov 2017, 9:29 pm

You certainly don't - this is about Weir. He was great when we humped you last season but alas that performance was the exception rather than the rule!

There's every chance his performance level hasn't actually gotten worse, he just looked better than what he was while playing for a good Glasgow team. Saying that he's had many headless chicken performance for Scotland too.

So I'm not going to deny that Edinburgh has been a graveyard for many a player over the years, but I don't think we can take responsibility for meatball Weir given his career was at a low point when he left Glasgow!

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 9:17 am

Looks like a Glasgow signing is coming along this morning. About time to, we have definitely being playing second fiddle this season so far.

From the hints this weekend, it may be Ali Price signing on again. That would be a good start. In my wildest dreams though, it might be Johnny Gray!

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 10:03 am

The Rugby Paper suggesting that Simon Hickey is costing Edinburgh £300,000 pa!

That is a serious amount of dosh and could make him their best paid player. I think it is probably fair to say that he is going to be seen as the starting FH next season.

Someone is going to have to move on to pay for him and unfortunately it may well be Duncy, who is probably on reasonable money as well.

by EWT Spoons Wed 29 Nov 2017, 10:24 am

That's an incredible risk if true. There's no guarantee he'll be a success at the club given he's far from an established pro.

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 11:12 am

Simon Hickey is established. Played for Bordeaux for a couple of years.

Are you mixing him up with the kid from rugby league?

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Wed 29 Nov 2017, 12:15 pm

Fair point RD but I think Dunky may come back to us and back up Hastings and part time P Horne.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Wed 29 Nov 2017, 12:17 pm

Bearing in mind who Dunky had on either side of him at Edinburgh (9 and 12 ) who would prosper. Dan Carter would struggle ffs !

by **RDW** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 12:18 pm

BigGee wrote:Simon Hickey is established. Played for Bordeaux for a couple of years.

Are you mixing him up with the kid from rugby league?

28 appearances and 235 points apparently according to Wiki. While he has a decent amount of experience I don't think he's really worth 300k! Saying that if he provides a long term answer to our problems at 10 then he's be worth his weight in gold.

by EWT Spoons Wed 29 Nov 2017, 12:20 pm

BigGee wrote:Simon Hickey is established. Played for Bordeaux for a couple of years.

Are you mixing him up with the kid from rugby league?

Aye, I mean Hickey. He's only played about 30 times for them since 2015, so not sure based on that we can say he's established, certainly not at £300k per year levels.

by **RDW** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 12:23 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:
BigGee wrote:Simon Hickey is established. Played for Bordeaux for a couple of years.

Are you mixing him up with the kid from rugby league?

Aye, I mean Hickey. He's only played about 30 times for them since 2015, so not sure based on that we can say he's established, certainly not at £300k per year levels.

30 odd Top 14 appearances is still a good pedigree - it's not like we've signed a random who has only played the level below Super Rugby (and we've signed a few of those over the years).

I definitely agree 300k is a bit risk though.

by EWT Spoons Wed 29 Nov 2017, 12:34 pm

That was my main point that whilst he's played a bit, and is certainly more established than say Te Rue, it's a lot of cash for someone with that level of experience.

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 29 Nov 2017, 12:41 pm

Russel confirmed to Racing, not sure if this has been mentioned

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 1:17 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:That was my main point that whilst he's played a bit, and is certainly more established than say Te Rue, it's a lot of cash for someone with that level of experience.

Well if we take the yardstick for well established international FHs at the FR level, then we are talking around £700,00 pa.

This guy is clearly down a few levels from that but has Super Rugby and Top 14 experience and probably more importantly is a FH, which will always put his value up. I would imagine a comparable winger or centre would be a bit cheaper.

We have heard about the wage inflation in the market and this is a good example of it. This will likely be the market rate for a 'relatively' experienced player, who can lead a side and probably has some potential to improve still.

What can you do, if you can't grow your own, then you have no choice but to buy one in. Edinburgh have never in my recollection had a decent FH. Hopefully this will give them the chance to show what they can do with one!

by **RDW** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 1:22 pm

Price has signed to 2020

http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/17/11/29/price-commits-warriors-until-2020

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 1:25 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Price has signed to 2020

http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/17/11/29/price-commits-warriors-until-2020

A good bit of business for us. He should be getting a decent pay rise as well.

by Mad for Chelsea Wed 29 Nov 2017, 1:44 pm

Excellent news! Had been hinted at of course, but good to get confirmation. Given his meteoric rise over the last year he'll almost certainly have had a pretty significant raise, and well deserved too.

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 3:14 pm

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/17/11/29/scottish-rugby-statement-john-hardie

JH is found guilty of gross misconduct and gets a three month suspension.

Also gets personal and professional assistance going forward.

A bit short of details, as you would imagine, but it will probably leak out anyway. On that basis is hard to judge if it is justified or not.

Either way he could be back playing for Edinburgh in Jan and could conceivably play in the 6N. It may effect his market value if he is going to move on at the end of the season though, as seems likely.

by **RDW** Wed 29 Nov 2017, 3:29 pm

All in all it is not a disaster of an outcome, and the SRU seem to have dealt with a difficult situation well - the punishment is severe enough to show it won't be tolerated, but they're not ending his career by doing it. He'll have 6 months left on his contract to either earn a new one (which I don't think he'll get) or put himself in the shop window for other clubs.

In a way the lack of details will help his case with a new club - no one really knows what happened so it's not as if he's been plastered all over the tabloids. I can't imagine many clubs will be concerned about their public image if they sign him based on this, especially given how good a player he is.

by EWT Spoons Wed 29 Nov 2017, 3:45 pm

I think this was always likely to be the outcome. He was guaranteed to be back in time to get a couple of games under his belt, just before the 6 nations kicks off. He's not injured so will be training and likely to have any niggles etc cleared up before then and should be fine to hit the ground running.

If he has a strong 6 nations and a decent showing in the league he should be fine to find another club, if Edinburgh isn't where his future lies.

by Hazel Sapling Wed 29 Nov 2017, 5:36 pm

John Hardie will likely get an offer from the SRU and who knows, if he gets himself in the clear and plays well, he may do a Ryan Wilson.

Chances are he will come back and play well. Likely going to be the understudy to Watson at club and international level. Find a club in France or England who will make a bigger offer and give him a fresh start. Certainly if he cleans up, Sale could have him mentor the Curry's and Bristol are desperate to build a side to stay up.

by **RDW** Thu 30 Nov 2017, 11:21 am

https://www.606v2.com/t66860-kings-vs-edinburgh-nelson-mandela-bay-stadium-1715-fri-1-12-17#3649226

by **George Carlin** Thu 30 Nov 2017, 4:11 pm

BigGee wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:That was my main point that whilst he's played a bit, and is certainly more established than say Te Rue, it's a lot of cash for someone with that level of experience.

Well if we take the yardstick for well established international FHs at the FR level, then we are talking around £700,00 pa.

This guy is clearly down a few levels from that but has Super Rugby and Top 14 experience and probably more importantly is a FH, which will always put his value up. I would imagine a comparable winger or centre would be a bit cheaper.

We have heard about the wage inflation in the market and this is a good example of it. This will likely be the market rate for a 'relatively' experienced player, who can lead a side and probably has some potential to improve still.

What can you do, if you can't grow your own, then you have no choice but to buy one in. Edinburgh have never in my recollection had a decent FH. Hopefully this will give them the chance to show what they can do with one!

I understand the concerns here but Cockerill is not an idiot and they must have seen something in this youngfeller.

Also, you can buy plenty of Pimms, weekends in Tuscany and John Lewis hampers for that sort of money so presumably the McBumferties are not throwing the cash at nothing.

by **BigGee** Fri 01 Dec 2017, 4:31 pm

Matt Scott back onto the bench for the Gloucester v LI game this Saturday.

Plenty of Scottish interest in this one, with a large exile contingent at Irish. Ben Vellacott warming the Gloucester bench alongside Matty.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sat 02 Dec 2017, 6:31 pm

If I may mention this; one of our fellow Scots (and Glasgow Whistle

) posters is now starring on the big stage. See if you know who it is from this link at about 1h 17m 30s :-

http://www.bloodandmud.com/2017/11/podcast-89-rory-lawsons-suede-brogues.html

by EWT Spoons Sun 03 Dec 2017, 8:58 am

Mark Palmer in the Times is reporting Fruean is being forced to retire on health grounds. Shame.

by **RDW** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 9:05 am

EWT Spoons wrote:Mark Palmer in the Times is reporting Fruean is being forced to retire on health grounds. Shame.

Well that experiment didn't last long! Real shame for the guy.

From a rugby point of view Edinburgh are now well stocked with the emergence of JJ and Bennett soon to be fit.

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 9:17 am

I suppose with the benefit of hindsight it was always going to be a long shot.

Got to feel for a great player who never really fulfilled his potential through no fault of his own. Hopefully his health issues do mot impact to much on whatever he decides to do after rugby and the rest of his life.

by Hazel Sapling Sun 03 Dec 2017, 9:29 am

Fruean was a good player and it is a real shame to see that he could not quite do it health wise. Hopefully he provided more inspiration than Atiga and enjoyed being a part of Edinburgh.

Bennett's return will blunt the disappointment on the heartless side of things. Burleigh-Bennett and Dean-Johnstone is not bad depth wise.

by **RDW** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 9:35 am

In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Darcy Graham was joint tournament top try scorer with 8!

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 10:00 am

I wonder how long before Cockers brings him back into the Edinburgh set up?

I would think he will play in the next round of the sevens and then we may see him playing for Edinburgh over xmas. I saw bits and pieces of the tournament and he looked electric!

by **George Carlin** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 11:57 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Darcy Graham was joint tournament top try scorer with 8!

Watched every Scotland game live. The England result was annoying (we got nilled) but apart from that not a bad showing.

It's the middle of winter here and it was still 28 degrees on the pitch.

The back 3 rows of the stadium were all 16 year olds trying to get old farts like me to buy them booze. Made me feel nostalgic/homesick.

by **RDW** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 11:59 am

George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Darcy Graham was joint tournament top try scorer with 8!
Watched every Scotland game live. The England result was annoying (we got nilled) but apart from that not a bad showing.

It's the middle of winter here and it was still 28 degrees on the pitch.

The back 3 rows of the stadium were all 16 year olds trying to get old farts like me to buy them booze. Made me feel nostalgic/homesick.

Who were the standout players for Scotland?

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 12:17 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Darcy Graham was joint tournament top try scorer with 8!
Watched every Scotland game live. The England result was annoying (we got nilled) but apart from that not a bad showing.

It's the middle of winter here and it was still 28 degrees on the pitch.

The back 3 rows of the stadium were all 16 year olds trying to get old farts like me to buy them booze. Made me feel nostalgic/homesick.

Who were the standout players for Scotland?

Dare I say Darcy Graham with his 8 tries!

The England game was the one I saw the whole of and it was definitely a game to far for them that day. The new kids in particular looked like they had legs of lead.

To get into the cup competition in their first run out was actually a pretty decent result for them, especially in very hostile conditions. They should only get better and it will be good to see how they get on next weekend.

by **George Carlin** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 12:23 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Darcy Graham was joint tournament top try scorer with 8!
Watched every Scotland game live. The England result was annoying (we got nilled) but apart from that not a bad showing.

It's the middle of winter here and it was still 28 degrees on the pitch.

The back 3 rows of the stadium were all 16 year olds trying to get old farts like me to buy them booze. Made me feel nostalgic/homesick.

Who were the standout players for Scotland?

Graham really shone to be honest. He's got that loping run and long legs which coupled with the fact he is so lightweight makes him look like he would come off worst in a collision with a bluebottle. However, he had a yard on his covering defenders at all times, which is impressive given the company he was keeping. It's not just the speed - he picks good lines and has great balance.

I also liked Nick McLennan, whom I hadn't seen much before but who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Robbie Fergusson is a smart player with great hands. From the youngfellers I also picked out Harvey Elms (Currie lad) who was desperate for work and tackled his heart out.

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 12:27 pm

George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Graham really shone to be honest. He's got that loping run and long legs which coupled with the fact he is so lightweight makes him look like he would come off worst in a collision with a bluebottle. However, he had a yard on his covering defenders at all times, which is impressive given the company he was keeping. It's not just the speed - he picks good lines and has great balance.

are you sure about that? He is only about 5 ft tall!

by **George Carlin** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 12:56 pm

BigGee wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Graham really shone to be honest. He's got that loping run and long legs which coupled with the fact he is so lightweight makes him look like he would come off worst in a collision with a bluebottle. However, he had a yard on his covering defenders at all times, which is impressive given the company he was keeping. It's not just the speed - he picks good lines and has great balance.

are you sure about that? He is only about 5 ft tall!

Gee - have you been taking quote function lessons from Jim?

Graham does have long legs for a Lilliputian.

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 1:16 pm

George Carlin wrote:
BigGee wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Scotland 7s had a decent start getting to the quarter finals before losing to Fiji and Samoa.

Graham really shone to be honest. He's got that loping run and long legs which coupled with the fact he is so lightweight makes him look like he would come off worst in a collision with a bluebottle. However, he had a yard on his covering defenders at all times, which is impressive given the company he was keeping. It's not just the speed - he picks good lines and has great balance.

are you sure about that? He is only about 5 ft tall!
Gee - have you been taking quote function lessons from Jim?

Graham does have long legs for a Lilliputian.

Yes, I made a complete Horlicks of that one! Just when I thought I had mastered it. Unfortunately none of the kids were around to assist me!

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 3:10 pm

The Thistle podcast reporting that SHC is heading south from Edinburgh next season, with Bath, Newcastle or LI being his potential destination.

I actually think this would be a really good move for him. For whatever reason, Edinburgh have not been able to develop him into the player he could be and he really could benefit from being taken out of his comfort zone and put into a sink or swim situation. It may focus him on what he wants to achieve in his rugby career as at the moment, some of the other young starlets are leaving him well behind.

It might mean one of them coming in the other direction as well. Vellacott, Steele, Brand, Dawson, there are a few lining up to be counted.

by Hazel Sapling Sun 03 Dec 2017, 4:05 pm

Bath have a young guy who they seem keen on in Cook so there is someone who could push him. Newcastle would not be too bad. Would Sale have interest? Townsend already has Strauss and McGuigan to keep an eye on and they are in need of a 9.

Of the young guys to bring back, I would look to Steele. Vellacott is establishing himself at Gloucester and Steele has already had a season of development in the Championship. Shiel does need a chance though.

Personally I was hoping it would be Fowles who would be sent off....

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 4:27 pm

Fowles does not really bring any x factor to the game but he does what SHC does not seem able to do consistently, that is provide an accurate and fast service. That is why Toonie picked him into the Scotland squad over SHC.

If SHC ever wants to play for Scotland again, he needs to master his basic SH roles. George Horne already passes better than him and is probably even more dynamic.

The good news is that he is only 24 and pretty much all of his faults are fixable, if he really wants to fix them. He certainly won't be going down south as a starting SH in the AP though and whichever team he may go to, he will have to earn his place in a squad and that will be his true test. Up to this season he had been handed that on a plate.

by **BigGee** Sun 03 Dec 2017, 5:24 pm

Just watched Quins v Sarries on the tv.

A nail bitter of a game with Visser scoring the winner for Quins at the death. He still knows where the try line is.

James Lang played the whole game at FH for Quins having been pulled into the starting line up just before the start. He played very well after getting levelled in the first few minutes. Good to see another SQ player getting some game time in the AP. I would imagine the SQ scouts will be keeping an eye on him.

by nickj Mon 04 Dec 2017, 2:16 pm

Gutted for Fruean. Real shame. The Rugby Paper has Will Hurrell from Bristol coming in as his replacement.

by Welly Wed 06 Dec 2017, 12:07 pm

Rizzo has been added to the Tigers European squad.

by EWT Spoons Wed 06 Dec 2017, 12:30 pm

Nel & Weir have been dropped from the Edinburgh european squad.

shame for Nel, hope his injury isn't worse than thought.
Weir - dropped for Jaco - makes sense.

by **RDW** Wed 06 Dec 2017, 12:37 pm

Bennett is back in training and targeting a return for the 1872 which is good to see - he had a horror injury (and a particularly bad injury for someone that relies on speed and stepping) so hopefully he can get back up to his previous level.

by **BigGee** Wed 06 Dec 2017, 1:09 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:Nel & Weir have been dropped from the Edinburgh european squad.

shame for Nel, hope his injury isn't worse than thought.
Weir - dropped for Jaco - makes sense.

Nel's injury may not be that bad, but even best case scenario is going to keep him out of the group stages of the euro comp. His main goal will be getting back for some or all of the 6N. That is a bit more realistic, he can come back into the Edinburgh squad for the knock outs, assuming they make it (which they should!).

He was doing some publicity stuff for Edinburgh , giving out warm jackets at a foodbank the other day when everyone else was in SA. He did not even seem to have a cast on from what I could see, so hopefully it is not that bad. Still got to let it heal properly though.

by nickj Wed 06 Dec 2017, 1:10 pm

Is Weir still injured?

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