Edinburgh vs Ospreys - Sat 4th Nov

by tigertattie Tue 31 Oct 2017, 11:04 am

Edinburgh Rugby Yahoo

Vs

The Ospreys laughing

Kick off: 17:30 on Sat 4th November
Venue: Dyreside
TV coverage: Live on Sky Sports Arena from 17:15

The ever flaky Edinburgh

Guinness Pro14 Conference B

Conference Position - 4th
Played - 7
Won - 4
Drawn - 0
Lost - 3
Points scored - 133
Points conceded - 125
Bonus pts - 2
Points- 18

Edinburgh team to face Ospreys

15 Blair Kinghorn (50)
14 Dougie Fife (90)
13 James Johnstone (7)
12 Phil Bureligh (64)
11 Tom Brown (112)

10 Jason Tovey (31)
9 Nathan Fowles (41)

1 Michele Rizzo (5)
2 Neil Cochrane (58)
3 Simon Berghan (39)
4 Fraser McKenzie (87)
5 Grant Gilchrist (106)
6 Luke Crosbie (4)
7 Jamie Ritchie (36)
8 Cornell du Preez (89)

Replacements

16 Cameron Fenton *
17 Rory Sutherland (50)
18 Murray McCallum (23)
19 Magnus Bradbury (36)
20 Lewis Carmichael (17)
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (91)
22 Glenn Bryce (28)
23 Chris Dean (49)

Edinburgh appearances in bracket

The not so Mighty Os

Guinness Pro14 Conference A

Conference Position - 6th
Played - 7
Won - 2
Drawn - 0
Lost - 5
Points scored - 125
Points conceded - 158
Bonus pts - 3
Points- 11

The Ospreys team to play Edinburgh

15 Dan Evans
14 Dafydd Howells
13 James Hook
12 Ashley Beck
11 Tom Habberfield

10 Sam Davies
9 Brendon Leonard

1 Paul James (Capt)
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Lloyd Ashley
5 Bradley Davies
6 Olly Cracknell
7 Guy Mercer
8 Rob McCusker

REPLACEMENTS

16 Sam Parry
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Rory Thornton
20 James King
21 Reuben Morgan-Williams
22 Luke Price
23 Kieron Fonotia

Edinburgh, the world's most frustratingly inconsistent team, face off against last years beaten semi finalists the Ospreys (lost to the eventual winners the Scarlets).

Edinburgh with a new captain seem to be finding a bit more rhythm and will be against an Ospreys team that have finally ended a dire losing streak. I don't bet so I've not looked at the odds but I'd think there'd be a fag paper between the two sides at the bookies.

My prediction, Edinburgh's defence to hold out longer than the Os resulting in a narrow Edinburgh win with neither side getting a try bonus. Whether Os can get a losing bonus will be down to which gives in first. Their defense, or Edinburgh's mental fragility in attack.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 31 Oct 2017, 11:27 am

Ospreys beaten semi finalists?

Have to fancy Edinburgh here. Hope Tovey goes well again.

by tigertattie Tue 31 Oct 2017, 11:36 am

RiscaGame wrote:Ospreys beaten semi finalists?

Have to fancy Edinburgh here. Hope Tovey goes well again.

good spot! This is why I don't do match threads when "working"

by **RDW** Tue 31 Oct 2017, 11:59 am

All the positivity and momentum built up by Edinburgh in recent weeks, despite all the off-field distraction, will be lost if we lose this one. Conversely if we win then it won’t have been too bad a first block to the season – not great, but not bad. If we play like we did against Treviso away I think we’ll win this. If we play like we did against Treviso at home we’ll lose.

Assuming that Marfo, McInally, Nel, Toolis and Watson will be rested for Scotland duty as those likely to be in the test 23, I think we’ll see something like:

1 Rizzo
2 Ford (if he’s fit – he needs gametime)
3 Berghan
4 McKenzie
5 Gilchrist
6 Ritchie
7 Crosbie
8 CDP

9 SHC/Fowles
10 Tovey
11 Harries
12 Burleigh
13 JJ
14 Fife
15 Kinghorne

Subs – McCallum, Cochrane, Bryce, Bresler, Charmichael, SHC/Fowles, Dean, Bryce

We may even see the big South African winger get a run about as he’s now fit. Bradbury may even return from his head knock (but I’d personally leave him until the SA tour coming up).

p.s. the game is on Sky Sports

by **BigGee** Tue 31 Oct 2017, 12:29 pm

Anyone Toonie is thinking of playing against Samoa will probably sit this one out, other than Ford, who as has been said, who needs the game time.

I think Ritchie and CDP come into that category, maybe Fife as well.

Could well see Bradbury come off the naughty step and maybe Mata make another appearence.

by tigertattie Wed 01 Nov 2017, 9:30 am

Still think Bradbury's situation has been blown out of proportion.

A young rugby player gets pished, falls over and whacks his head!

If this is indeed all that happened (and it seems to be) then it's hardly even news worthy in my opinion!

by EWT Spoons Wed 01 Nov 2017, 9:36 am

tigertattie wrote:Still think Bradbury's situation has been blown out of proportion.

A young rugby player gets pished, falls over and whacks his head!

If this is indeed all that happened (and it seems to be) then it's hardly even news worthy in my opinion!

I think it's a slightly bigger deal due to him recovering from a head knock from a previous game, so arguably he shouldn't be getting himself into a state where he could fall over.

Plus as a professional rugby player in the spotlight, falling over drunk, knocking yourself out and requiring an ambulance, isn't really what you want from your club captain.

I agree it's not the end of the world, but I think it was serious enough to warrant the action taken.

by tigertattie Wed 01 Nov 2017, 9:53 am

Well at least there was no dwarf tossing or kebab shop brawls involved!

by EWT Spoons Wed 01 Nov 2017, 10:09 am

tigertattie wrote:Well at least there was no dwarf tossing or kebab shop brawls involved!

Good point Yahoo

by tigertattie Wed 01 Nov 2017, 10:22 am

Weather doesn't look too bad for Sat. Hopefully we get to see a decent enough game.

by VinceWLB Wed 01 Nov 2017, 10:59 am

Should be a good one, both teams seemingly hitting some good form at the same time.

by tigertattie Wed 01 Nov 2017, 11:30 am

VinceWLB wrote:Should be a good one, both teams seemingly hitting some good form at the same time.

Ahhh but with Edinburgh, form means nothing. One week we'll be good, the next we'll be utterly terrible. In fact one half we can be good and then the next half be utterly terrible!

by chris_501 Thu 02 Nov 2017, 9:25 am

tigertattie wrote:
VinceWLB wrote:Should be a good one, both teams seemingly hitting some good form at the same time.

Ahhh but with Edinburgh, form means nothing. One week we'll be good, the next we'll be utterly terrible. In fact one half we can be good and then the next half be utterly terrible!

The same could be said of the Ospreys! Their attack just looks so blunt, hopefully they have worked on a few more attacking patterns this week!

by **RDW** Thu 02 Nov 2017, 9:35 am

Just remembered that we may see Rory Sutherland return, having played 2 games for Hawick recently. We could certainly do with him given we have one specialist loosehead left with Marfo being called up by Scotland!

by reallybored Thu 02 Nov 2017, 10:06 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just remembered that we may see Rory Sutherland return, having played 2 games for Hawick recently. We could certainly do with him given we have one specialist loosehead left with Marfo being called up by Scotland!

Murray McCallum is still there.

by **RDW** Thu 02 Nov 2017, 10:11 am

I don't think he can really be classed as a specialist loosehead anymore - he has become a tighthead that has had to fill in at loosehead due to injury!

by reallybored Thu 02 Nov 2017, 10:23 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:I don't think he can really be classed as a specialist loosehead anymore - he has become a tighthead that has had to fill in at loosehead due to injury!

Pretty sure he's only featured at LH this season though.

I think it'd be a mistake to move him to TH permanently, we've got plenty of quality at TH but thin on the ground at LH.

Plus, with him at LH it can compensate for our smallish hookers (Brown or Turner).

by **RDW** Thu 02 Nov 2017, 10:40 am

I see what you're saying - I just hope for his sake his position is agreed soon and he doesn't keep swapping about.

For Edinburgh at least our problem is at TH, not LH - if all our LHs are fit we have (in order) - Dickinson, Dell, Sutherland, Marfo, Rizzo whereas at tighthead our 3rd choice is Kevin Bryce, and we still don't really know what he's going to be like. Even if Dickinson never comes back and Rizzo leaves on loan our LH resources probably have more depth that TH if everyone is fit.

by munkian Thu 02 Nov 2017, 11:35 am

Are any of the Embra lads being released from the National side ? Only two Turks are being released from the Welsh squad.

by Nematode Thu 02 Nov 2017, 1:42 pm

Should be a decent match up.

I'd be keen to see Kinghorn get a few games at 12 soon - I think his ability to draw and beat defenders, as well as his kicking game, could be better utilised at 12 than 15. It might also relieve Weir of some pressure to allow him to attack more.

Also, from an international perspective, 15 is relatively well covered with Hogg, Maitland, Jackson,..., Taylor/Tonks etc. I worry though that Dunbar and Taylor have been fairly injury prone and Matt Scott hasn't really kicked on at Gloucester. Also Horne seems like a decent club 10/12, but not quite international standard.

by EWT Spoons Thu 02 Nov 2017, 2:29 pm

Sorry, but couldn’t disagree more.

Kinghorn I don’t think has ever played 12, he’s finding his feet at 15 and should be left to continue there. Having someone who has next to no experience at 12 wouldn’t let Weir attack more, if anything he’s more likely to sit back to cover for any mistakes Kinghorn makes, plus Weir is far from the future of the side and shouldn’t be someone we try to build around.

From an international perspective we’ve got loads of centres, Taylor, Scott, Dunbar, Jones, all capable of covering 12. Plus Harris (if he turns out to be any good), Horne (in a pinch), plus Grigg being an option, also depending on how his development goes Dean might be another options down the line. Also I’m sure Bennett could move over to 12 if needs be.

At 15 we’ve got Hogg & Maitland (who we probably need more on the wing) and that’s it. Jackson has done well enough at 15 for Glasgow but isn’t realistically a long term option at 15 for Scotland. We also have no obvious young 15s coming through (other than Kinghorn).

We have no reason to move Kinghorn to 12, as it would leave Edinburgh short at 15 (G. Bryce and that’s it), it would leave Scotland short in the future at 15 and it would try and crowbar another player into a position of relative strength.

by **RDW** Thu 02 Nov 2017, 2:34 pm

Got to agree with Spoons on this one!

Also, 12 is very congested and won't suit his game at all - he needs open space to run in not tight channels running into the big lads.

We've seen with Paterson what happens if you mess players about - Kinghorn looks like he could be an international class 15 so let's keep him there. As has been said we have very little depth at 15 for Scotland.

IMO the ship has sailed on him being a 10 - he would need a good couple of seasons bedding in with regular gametime and that just isn't going to happen, plus I think his style of play is much better suited to 15.

by reallybored Thu 02 Nov 2017, 4:19 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Got to agree with Spoons on this one!

Also, 12 is very congested and won't suit his game at all - he needs open space to run in not tight channels running into the big lads.

We've seen with Paterson what happens if you mess players about - Kinghorn looks like he could be an international class 15 so let's keep him there. As has been said we have very little depth at 15 for Scotland.

IMO the ship has sailed on him being a 10 - he would need a good couple of seasons bedding in with regular gametime and that just isn't going to happen, plus I think his style of play is much better suited to 15.

You're kidding right?

He's still only 20 and played most of his youth rugby at 10.

by **RDW** Thu 02 Nov 2017, 4:36 pm

OK maybe slightly dramatic (forgot how young he is!) but my point is if the SRU think his long term future is at 10 then within the next season or 2 (at most) they need to improve Edinburgh’s resources at 15 so he can move away from 15 and regularly play him at 10.
Having seen him at 10 he makes Finn Russell look like Morne Steyn when it comes to game control – he‘s got a lot to work on there and that will only come with regular gametime over a prolonged period.

by reallybored Thu 02 Nov 2017, 7:56 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:OK maybe slightly dramatic (forgot how young he is!) but my point is if the SRU think his long term future is at 10 then within the next season or 2 (at most) they need to improve Edinburgh’s resources at 15 so he can move away from 15 and regularly play him at 10.
Having seen him at 10 he makes Finn Russell look like Morne Steyn when it comes to game control – he‘s got a lot to work on there and that will only come with regular gametime over a prolonged period.

I agree but there's plenty of time to do it.

Look at Beauden Barrett, it's only been in the last 2/3 seasons he's moved permanently to 10.

I'd be interested in seeing Darcy Graham at FB, especially if Hoyland can deliver on his early promise.

by EWT Spoons Fri 03 Nov 2017, 12:16 pm

Team wrote:Head coach Richard Cockerill has named his side for tomorrow evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Ospreys at Myreside (Saturday 4 October, kick-off 5.30pm).

The team selection includes seven changes to the side that earned a hard-fought victory in Treviso last weekend. After making his 50th appearance for the club against Benetton, Blair Kinghorn once again starts at fullback. The 20-year-old is joined in the back-three by Dougie Fife, who takes his spot on the wing after notching a brace last weekend, and Tom Brown, who returns to the starting XV following a two-week absence.

In midfield, Phil Burleigh and James Johnstone continue their centre partnership whilst Jason Tovey starts at stand-off, partnered by recent Scotland call-up, Nathan Fowles.

A revamped front-row sees Neil Cochrane get the nod at hooker. The 33-year-old packs down alongside Michele Rizzo and Simon Berghan. In the second-row, Grant Gilchrist returns to the starting XV to partner Fraser McKenzie, who skippers the side as they search for their fifth consecutive win in all competitions.

The only alteration to otherwise unchanged back-row sees Jamie Ritchie replace Hamish Watson at open-side flanker. Luke Crosbie and Cornell du Preez make up the remainder of the loose forwards.

Edinburgh team to face Ospreys at Myreside in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday 4 November – live on Sky Sports Arena (kick-off 5.30pm)

15 Blair Kinghorn (50)

14 Dougie Fife (90)

13 James Johnstone (7)

12 Phil Bureligh (64)

11 Tom Brown (112)

10 Jason Tovey (31)

9 Nathan Fowles (41)

1 Michele Rizzo (5)

2 Neil Cochrane (58)

3 Simon Berghan (39)

4 Fraser McKenzie (87)

5 Grant Gilchrist (106)

6 Luke Crosbie (4)

7 Jamie Ritchie (36)

8 Cornell du Preez (89)

Replacements

16 Cameron Fenton *

17 Rory Sutherland (50)

18 Murray McCallum (23)

19 Magnus Bradbury (36)

20 Lewis Carmichael (17)

21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (91)

22 Glenn Bryce (28)

23 Chris Dean (49)

Edinburgh appearances in brackets

* Edinburgh competitive debut

by EWT Spoons Fri 03 Nov 2017, 12:20 pm

Good to see Sutherland on the bench, if he's fit it will make a massive difference to our scrum going from Rizzo to Sutherland if he gets off the bench.

Will be interesting to see how Fenton goes if he comes on, seems to be highly rated...or at least rated.

Also if you compare this team to Solly's, I think all but two players in the 23 are SQ. Granted two of them qualified after Solly left, but that's quite a change.

by EWT Spoons Fri 03 Nov 2017, 12:21 pm

Ospreys website wrote:The Ospreys team to play Edinburgh at Myreside on Saturday 4th November 2017, KO 5.30pm, is as follows:

15 Dan Evans

14 Dafydd Howells

13 James Hook

12 Ashley Beck

11 Tom Habberfield

10 Sam Davies

9 Brendon Leonard

1 Paul James (Capt)

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Lloyd Ashley

5 Bradley Davies

6 Olly Cracknell

7 Guy Mercer

8 Rob McCusker

REPLACEMENTS

16 Sam Parry

17 Gareth Thomas

18 Ma’afu Fia

19 Rory Thornton

20 James King

21 Reuben Morgan-Williams

22 Luke Price

23 Kieron Fonotia

by **RDW** Fri 03 Nov 2017, 12:36 pm

Strong Edinburgh team for the time of year - if we play to our potential I think we'll get the win. Things have gone too well recently though so I am prepared to be disappointed.

How strong is that Ospreys team?

by tigertattie Fri 03 Nov 2017, 4:46 pm

I'm thinking now we should win this. We've got a few boys back from the Scotland camp who sadly for them means its doubtful they'll be playing against Samoa (mind you I'd not want to play against those boys)

by Hazel Sapling Fri 03 Nov 2017, 5:39 pm

On the Kinghorn to 12 point, Paddy Kelly and Sam Johnson are around that age so there are young guys coming in. No one has yet started to challenge Hogg for the 15 jersey and Maitland is probably not going to keep going too far beyond 2020 assuming health.

As for 3rd choice tighthead, McCallum is better than Bryce. Another one for the future.

I wonder if Toonie selected the 2 looseheads for Samoa and was hoping that Sutherland can prove his fitness in this game for Australia? Bit harsh on Allan but it is all about putting the best team forward. Hope Edinburgh can beat a fairly decent O's side (on paper).

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 5:40 pm

Anyone got a link? They're more difficult to find these days!

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 5:46 pm

Got one.

Promising start from the ospreys

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:08 pm

Pretty soft yellow.

Edinburgh looking very stodgy.

by VinceWLB Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:30 pm

Wow great try Edinburgh!

by VinceWLB Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:36 pm

What a difference having a flyhalf who can get the backline moving makes.

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:37 pm

Very harsh call on Ritchie - that happens all the time at rucks

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:44 pm

Lots of frustrating penalties in the red zone

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:53 pm

Can we get a 4th??

I'm still not fully confident we'll win the game..

by tigertattie Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:54 pm

Do my eyes deceive me! Edinburgh with an 18 point cushion. Surely even we can't blow 18 points

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:55 pm

20...

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 04 Nov 2017, 6:56 pm

tigertattie wrote:Do my eyes deceive me! Edinburgh with an 18 point cushion. Surely even we can't blow 18 points

We do like a challenge. I've got a terrible feeling this may jinx things, but our defence is looking pretty good at the moment

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:03 pm

Oooh they're lucky that trip wasn't picked up!

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:04 pm

We've given away so many attacking penalties - it's killing us

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:04 pm

Ooh that was a trip - should be a yellow!

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:07 pm

We're doing great work in defence but coughing the ball up far too easily in contact at the moment, its frustrating

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:08 pm

We've certainly had enough possession to get a 4th

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:11 pm

Lost the ball again!

by **RDW** Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:11 pm

Welcome back Rory Sutherland - great scrum

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 04 Nov 2017, 7:15 pm

Yes!! Job done!

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