Scarlets Vs Edinburgh Pro14 23/09/17

Scarlets Vs Edinburgh
Date: Sat 23 Sep 17
KO: 19:35
Location: Parc Y Scarlets
TV:S4C


Edinburgh Rugby Head to Head Llanelli Scarlets
30 Played 30
15 Wins        14
14 Losses 15
1 Draws 1
57 Tries       73

Scarlets This Season Edinburgh Rugby
118 Total Points           72
15 Tries           8
14 Conversions   7
0 DropGoals           0
5 Penalties          6
1545 Metres Gained 1031
367 Carries 286
588 Passes Made 353
404 Tackles Made 324
40 Tackles Missed 41
31 TurnoversWon 24
53 Turnovers Conceded 42
0 Penalties Conceded 0
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards       0

Please ignore the mental formatting, can't be bothered trying to work out why they are not lining up.

Players need a big performance in this game to make up for how they performed against Benneton.

Going to be some interesting calls from RC, does he give some players another chance to prove they are capable straight away, with the hope of them being fired up and ready to prove themselves, or does he drop them in favour of others?

Kinghorn was particularly bad against Benneton, but was a contender for MotM awards in the previous 2 games, does he retain his place, or does he get rested (might be due a rest anyway), but that does leave us with Bryce at FB, which is not a great situation.

Ritchie should be back in the team and I think we really missed his work at the breakdown and in defence.  Strange that he is potentially one of our most important players already.
Watson & Hardie, neither showed much last week, but both are capable of playing well.  Watson might be inline for a start.
Nel was a sub last week with Berghan starting, In the first half Berghan was near totally dominant over his opposite number in the scrum and carrying well in the loose, however both of those things started to drop just before Nel came on.  Nel improved the scrum again but possibly not as visible in the loose.  Would expect to see Nel starting, but either would probably be fine.

Not sure if McInally is due back, but despite his darts being a bit off 2 weeks ago, Ford wasn’t much better last week, and less dynamic with ball in hand.  It’s strange that Ford only ups his game if there is someone literally waiting to take his place, with all due respect to Cochrane he’s not realistically a long term option at hooker whereas McInally might be.

Think we might see SHC back starting again with Weir at 10, given Tovey has barely had 20mins this season so far.

Centre, dean and Freuan are likely again, but mostly due to injuries preventing others from playing.

Back 3, Hoyland, Harris and Kinghorn again I guess are likely to be fit and available.

But all this depends on how RC decides to respond to last weekend.

Cockers not holding back with this article on the BBC website. Expect some changes this Friday. That is probably fair enough as well!


Richard Cockerill says some senior players will pay the price for Edinburgh's home humbling by Benetton as they prepare to face Scarlets.

The head coach held a "pretty robust" meeting with his squad on Monday.

"A lot of those guys have international experience, some as recently as Scotland's summer tour, so I would expect better from them," he said.




"Some of those guys will not be in the side this week and others will get opportunities."

Ahead of facing the reigning champions on Saturday, Cockerill admitted that a "few home truths" were dished out after Friday's 20-17 defeat by the Italians.

The former Leicester Tigers boss put the loss, which followed wins against Cardiff Blues and Dragons, down to "poor choices" and "glibness with the ball".

"They need to listen and understand what we are trying to do from a game-plan point of view, which they all said they did beforehand but clearly didn't do it in the game," he told BBC Scotland.

"People have got to make the right choices. They have got to do what is best for the team, not what is best for themselves.

"The sooner they learn that, and be part of the team, the better it will be for everyone."



Edinburgh applaud Benetton off the Myreside pitch

Edinburgh had to applaud victorious Benetton off the Myreside pitch

Edinburgh led 14-0 early on against Benetton but allowed the visitors back into the game at Myreside, and a trademark late rally failed to produce a third win from three league games.

"We just switched off, we became sloppy; there was not much intent about us in defence or attack for large periods of that second half," Cockerill said.

"When we really had to switch on again to try to win the game, we started to concentrate again, so it is purely a mental thing.

"We have got to drive that every day. I have only been here four months, we are slowly turning the corner, but clearly on Friday a few old failings came back to haunt us and we got what we deserved in the end."

Despite his disappointment at losing their 100% record, Cockerill insists he still expects Edinburgh to be competitive against Scarlets, who lost 27-20 away to Ulster on Friday.

"This team have had a habit of being poor against teams they are meant to beat and very good against teams they are meant to lose against, so I am hoping we have the same mentality again this weekend," he added.

"The key bits for us are to get a good performance and put the physical parts of our game back together like we had at Cardiff and in parts against the Dragons."

Don't know what "glibness with the ball" is but like the phrase.

RC galvanishing the squad and not holding back, its just the type of coaching Edinburgh needed. Haven't really got seeing any Edinburgh games in a while, whats Myreside like? Does it create good atmostsphere? Fans much happier there than Murrayfield?

Interesting that he has singled out the Internationals who were on the Scotland summer tour and suggested they would be in line for the cut - Ford, Nel, Toolis, Watson, Hardie, Bradbury, Hoyland.

Can't imagine he would cut them all, and to be fair it is Bradbury who hasn't been playing at his best yet and he's captain!

Weir probably has to take a lot of responsibility for not playing to the gameplan in the headless chicken phase of the game - will he be dropped for Tovey?

Whilst I like RC’s honesty, he does sound a bit like Solly in that interview “I have only been here four months” is strangely reminiscent of a standard Solly excuse, whilst it is absolutely true, it does seem like an excuse.

He talks about the gameplan not being executed, but we still have Hodge in charge of our attack and his gameplan failed repeatedly last year, so is it the players or is it a coach?  I mean it’s likely both and without a doubt the players played badly last week, but if the tactics they are practicing all week are terrible then that’s going to continue on the pitch.

Also I believe there was no interview scheduled and he called it, which I can’t decide if it’s a good thing or not.  From the point of view that it shows the fans he cares etc and is working to fix it, great.  But on the other hand he’s in the media a lot, and if it’s just to lambast his players then is that the right thing, or is he doing it to raise his profile further.

Not sure if I’m just being cynical but I found his honesty refreshing at first, but I wonder if it’s getting a bit much now, I mean look at Rennie, he’s hardly in the media, he’s just getting on with the job, but RC is never out of it.  Granted the two clubs are in very different places, and it could all be part of a master plan, but I’m not sure what it’s achieving.

Kingshu wrote:Don't know what  "glibness with the ball" is but like the phrase.

RC galvanishing the squad and not holding back, its just the type of coaching Edinburgh needed. Haven't  really got seeing any Edinburgh games in a while, whats Myreside like? Does it create good atmostsphere? Fans much happier there than Murrayfield?

Myerside:

It’s far more suitable than Murrayfield, there are still fans complaining and talking about a potential move to…..well anywhere really, meadowbank, back pitches of Murrayfield, ingilston, some folks are never going to be happy, but the work the club and Watsons have done to improve the ground is noticeable.

The majority of fans though seem ok with it, and I think over time will eventually be totally sold on the move, just people don’t like change.

Atmosphere wise, it’s better than Murrayfield, massively so, but that is a particularly low bar.  It’s still not great, but Edinburgh fans have been so used to not even trying to make an atmosphere for so long (because there was little point attempting it at MF) so they are still struggling to come to terms with that at Myerside, that along with the performances since the move hardly being great.

I think over time this will improve as well as fans get used to making a noise and hopefully have something to cheer and shout about.

Personally I think it's the right move for the club and is far more suitable than MF

The talk from Cockers is one thing, I guess the proof will be to see if he does drop anyone this week, especially some of the internationals.

That might be a difference from Solly, who tended to stick with the same team regardless of the result and whatever he said about the team.

Personally I think he should make some changes and should probably have done so prior to this game. He has got to get the whole squad competing for places and make it so that non-one feels there place in the team is a given.

To some extent there is nothing to lose in this game, no-one expects them to win it and so the pressure is off. Give a few other players a chance and let them show what they are about. It may not effect the result but may well be beneficial in the longer term.

To be fair with injuries and lack of quality in some places, he’s probably made most of the changes he’s able to so far.

I think other than a few young players, everyone who is able to play (i.e. not injured or being held up with Visa issues) has played.

Well he's not exactly swung the axe but there are a few changes

Head Coach Richard Cockerill has named his Edinburgh side for tomorrow night's Guinness PRO14 clash against reigning champions Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (Saturday 23 September, kick-off 7.35pm) - live on S4C.

The team selection includes seven changes to the starting XV which lost to Benetton Rugby last weekend. The only alteration to an otherwise unchanged back-three sees Tom Brown replace Damien Hoyland on the wing, as Blair Kinghorn and Jason Harries continue to impress in attack.

In the midfield, Robbie Fruean drops to the bench and is replaced by Phil Burleigh, who make his first appearance of the season. The New Zealand-born centre partners Chris Dean who has three tries to his name so far this season. Nathan Fowles and Duncan Weir will continue their half-back partnership.

In the front-row, Stuart McInally returns at hooker after missing last weekend's fixture due to injury. The 27-year-old will pack down alongside Michele Rizzo and WP Nel - who returns to the starting XV.

Recent centurion Grant Gilchrist rotates in for Anton Bresler at lock and will partner Ben Toolis.

In the back-row, captain Magnus Bradbury reverts back to number eight. The 22-year-old will feature alongside Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie - who returns to the side after being rested last weekend.

On his team selection, Cockerill said: "We know that Scarlets are going to be an incredibly tough side to break down defensively, but we've got confidence in this group of players. If we bring the correct levels of intensity and desire, there is no reason we can't stay in the battle and look to come away with a result.”


Edinburgh team to play Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday 23 September (kick-off 7.35pm)

15 Blair Kinghorn (45)

14 Tom Brown (107)
13 Chris Dean (45)
12 Phil Burleigh (60)
11 Jason Harries (3)

10 Duncan Weir (24)
9 Nathan Fowles (35)

1 Michele Rizzo (3)
2 Stuart McInally (104)
3 WP Nel (106)
4 Ben Toolis (72)
5 Grant Gilchrist (100)
6 Jamie Ricthie (32)
7 Hamish Watson (74)
8 Magnus Bradbury (34) CAPTAIN

Replacements

16 Ross Ford (178)
17 Darryl Marfo (3)
18 Simon Berghan (34)
19 Fraser McKenzie (82)
20 John Hardie (22)
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (85)
22 Jason Tovey (25)
23 Robbie Fruean (2)

Bradbury needs a big game, he's been quiet so far this season and needs to get his hands on the ball.

Harries is getting plenty of game-time, hasn't scored yet.

not huge changes, but having Ritchie back at 6 and Bradbury at 8 will make a big difference.

Also never thought i would say this, but glad Gilco is back in the side, the team need his leadership. I know it sounds crazy but having McInally and him in the team will provide the guidance and leadership that was blatantly missing last time out.

Can't see us winning but at least we should hopefully see some better decision making.

reallybored wrote:Bradbury needs a big game, he's been quiet so far this season and needs to get his hands on the ball.

Harries is getting plenty of game-time, hasn't scored yet.

He's been close to the line so many times this season - he even claims he scored last week but there was no TMO - he must wonder what he has to do to get a try!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

reallybored wrote:Bradbury needs a big game, he's been quiet so far this season and needs to get his hands on the ball.

Harries is getting plenty of game-time, hasn't scored yet.

He's been close to the line so many times this season - he even claims he scored last week but there was no TMO - he must wonder what he has to do to get a try!

I'm not sure what the coaching philosophy is over in LuvvieLuvvieLand but at the home of The Once And Future Champions the prevailing belief is that if you cross the white line and put the ball down on the ground that'll convince most people.

I take it you've got your pupils watching films all day Jimbo since you're following me round the site throwing in Edinburgh jibes wherever you go?

Part-time putting on films.
On Fridays I stay at home and stalk you.
BTW (as you young folk say) top marks to Mr Spoons for starting this thread, it's always good to see someone step up and take responsibility.

Anyway, it's all just pre-match nerves. It's a top of the table clash (Schiz will explain it to you if you can't remember what they are) tonight and I may have invited my next door neighbour who has family all over the Limerick area to come in and have an argument with me.
I'm just wondering how long it will take herself to notice that Coronation Street is unusually violent. Or for herself to turn all to usually violent.

Scarlets team:

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Johnny Mcnicholl, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens , 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Will Boyde, 8 John Barclay

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, David Bulbring, Josh Macleod, Aled Davies, Rhys Jones, Paul Asquith

...looks weak....

Those backs! Night and day compared to who we can put out. I can see the Scarlets backline cutting us open at will.

EWT Spoons wrote:Scarlets team:

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Johnny Mcnicholl, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens , 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Will Boyde, 8 John Barclay

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, David Bulbring, Josh Macleod, Aled Davies, Rhys Jones, Paul Asquith

...looks weak....

Er, yes, rubbish. What could possibly go wrong for the back, sack and crack waxers?

Although if someone could squish St Leigh of Lilliput into the mud, I would snicker until I puke.

Piece of piss....

Why Edinburgh persist with Duncan Weir?

VinceWLB wrote:Why Edinburgh persist with Duncan Weir?

You don't expect your 10 to be able to catch the ball do you Vince? You've got some demanding standards you do!

Nice try Edinburgh!

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Why Edinburgh persist with Duncan Weir?

You don't expect your 10 to be able to catch the ball do you Vince? You've got some demanding standards you do!

Happens at least once a match!

Good try here just before half time.

Scarlets a bit lucky with their second try.

Summary of the first half?

Kicking out on the full from a half kick off really is unforgivable

It's a shame a game of rugby can be spoiled by such decisions, red looking incredibly soft..

Deserved red card for Rizzo, completely thick and dangerous. Game over.

This could be 50 points now

VinceWLB wrote:It's a shame a game of rugby can be spoiled by such decisions, red looking incredibly soft..

Its in line with other decisions this season, players know they can't get away with stuff like that now

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:It's a shame a game of rugby can be spoiled by such decisions, red looking incredibly soft..

Its in line with other decisions this season, players know they can't get away with stuff like that now

Totally agree, though i preferred the old rules and more bite in the game. Give a yellow and a couple of weeks ban and get on with it.

This kind of ruin the game imo.

VinceWLB wrote:It's a shame a game of rugby can be spoiled by such decisions, red looking incredibly soft..

What ???

That is probably one of the most straight forward decisions John Lacey has to make.

Straight red.
Gareth Davies will not see out this game and will more than likely miss the next one or two.

I am glad this reckless behavior is being punished.

Given that he'll get a ban we're now even more desperate for looseheads

LordDowlais wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:It's a shame a game of rugby can be spoiled by such decisions, red looking incredibly soft..

What ???

That is probably one of the most straight forward decisions John Lacey has to make.

Straight red.
Gareth Davies will not see out this game and will more than likely miss the next one or two.

I am glad this reckless behavior is being punished.

The collision was made to look worse as it happened on the scrumhalf, same thing on a prop and i'm sure not much fuss would have been made over it.

Again, i agree with the red, under the current rules. Disagreeing with the way the game is going..

Vince, look I'm with you.

But we cannot go on like this, back in the day when you had a clout, then fair enough, it was a clout, but today, and the god like physiques we are seeing, it is far too dangerous, give me the old fistycuffs and queensbury rules any day.

But cheap shots, when players cannot even defend themselves, nah, not for me.

RDW_Scotland wrote:This could be 50 points now

The Edinburgh defence is too solid for that- they’ve kept the Scarlets out quite often.

So far...

Big effort from Edinburgh for keeping the scoreline respectable - that's about the only positive we can take..

I thought Edinburgh looked really strong and tough to beat. With more consistency there’s no reason why they can’t become a title on tender. Hamish Watson and Bradbury were everywhere, kept the in form Scarlets back-row on their toes constantly.

We're showing some defensive grit this season Mikey but we've been familiarly hopeless with the ball at times and we're still making a lot of mistakes - we're a long way from title contenders!

Tadgh Beirne man of the match, oh how I would love Ulster to bring him back into the provincial fold.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Tadgh Beirne man of the match, oh how I would love Ulster to bring him back into the provincial fold.

Off to the fields, ain't he?

Strong link to Munster supposedly, and he would suit their forwards style of play to a T.

Rizzo needs to learn that if you're a rank average player, the very least you owe your team mates is to stay on the pitch!!

I'm not too disappointed about this one. Still furious about the Treviso result\performance however.

Peed off with the result - how did we play overall?

mikey_dragon wrote:Strong link to Munster supposedly, and he would suit their forwards style of play to a T.

Kleyn and Beirne would be quite a fearsome pairing..

George Carlin wrote:Peed off with the result - how did we play overall?

Some good commitment in defense but attacking play still lacklustre, would have been interesting had Rizzo stayed on the field. Reckon Edinburgh could have got a LBP.

Scrum was a bit under pressure in the first half against the excellent Scarlets 1st choice front row, Nel not quite back to his very best i reckon.

VinceWLB wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Peed off with the result - how did we play overall?

Some good commitment in defense but attacking play still lacklustre, would have been interesting had Rizzo stayed on the field. Reckon Edinburgh could have got a LBP.

Scrum was a bit under pressure in the first half against the excellent Scarlets 1st choice front row, Nel not quite back to his very best i reckon.

Cheers Vince. I cannot take this man's name seriously - I keep wondering why Stockard Channing is playing rugby for Edinburgh:

George Carlin wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Peed off with the result - how did we play overall?

Some good commitment in defense but attacking play still lacklustre, would have been interesting had Rizzo stayed on the field. Reckon Edinburgh could have got a LBP.

Scrum was a bit under pressure in the first half against the excellent Scarlets 1st choice front row, Nel not quite back to his very best i reckon.

Cheers Vince. I cannot take this man's name seriously - I keep wondering why Stockard Channing is playing rugby for Edinburgh:

Oh, forgot to mention the usual routine knock on from Duncan "mini Moray Low" Weir!