The average age of a Scotland Front row is nnnnnnnnn19 - A thread for Glasgow and Edinburgh go to banter war…..

[R!skysports]

First topic message reminder :

Bicker away......

A nice video to start with

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds9dwHAfy_M


Glasgow Warriors are one of the two professional rugby union sides from Scotland. The team plays in the Pro14 league and in the European Professional Club Rugby tournaments. In the 2014-15 season they won the Pro12 title and became the first Scottish team to win a major trophy in rugby union's professional era. #theyrock

Edinburgh Rugby (formerly Edinburgh Reivers, Edinburgh Gunners and a real rugby team) is one of the two professional rugby teams from Scotland, although hard to determine if they play rugby. The club competes dances in the Pro14, along with Glasgow Warriors, its oldest rival. Since January 2017, Edinburgh plays most of its home games at Myreside Stadium with selected matches at BT Murrayfield.

[RDW]

Hugh Dan has tweeted saying Alba has lost the rights to the Pro14.

Sad times!

[Hazel Sapling]

Depends on what it gets replaced with. Tried to read through the first page of the other thread and got lost with what is actually being established.

Ideally BT have outbid everyone and want to create a rugby channel. They become the home of rugby. I only hope they offer a game a round for free to air to get exposure.

[RDW]

It is going to be Premier Sports TV which currently costs £9.99 a month on Sky or Virgin.

[Hazel Sapling]

It is going to be Premier Sports TV which currently costs £9.99 a month on Sky or Virgin.

.....

[BigGee]

I have got mixed feelings about this.

On a personal level. it will enable me to ditch sky, for which I have no great love in any case and pay for a cheaper channel, which will hopefully show more matches. So I save some money to boot.

This premier sports tv offer must be better financially than anything else on the table and boy do our teams need some better tv money than they currently get to maintain any semblance of a level playing field. You would assume that the deal will be even better if premier tv get exclusivity.

On the downside, a lot of people only watch on free view tv and this is potentially going to exclude them from seeing games regularly.

On a nostalgic note, I will miss HD as well, being one of the many who prefer the gaelic commentary to the English version!

The league does really need the money though. The current tv deals really are worth bugger all in the great scheme of things and were the only game in town, with the tv companies, sky in particular, holding all the cards, when they were first set up.

On the face of it a tenner a month seems pretty cheap compared with other tv deals, but then again, not everyone will be willing to ditch sky and so it will just be an extra tenner on top of what they already pay.

Maybe we are a bit sentimental about it though. Other leagues have adapted to pay to view, with little if any free view, the Top 14, the AP and of course the ubiquitous football.

There is an element of having our cake and eating it here and maybe we have to accept that if we want to hold on to our best players now and in the future and to be competitive in Europe and to provide an environment where our young players can develop into fully fledged international players, then maybe we do have to pay!

[des]

I think I'll join my local bowling club and watch it there.

It's been nice to have it free on Alba but I don't mind heading out for a couple of hours on a Friday night either. It won't always be convenient but it's not a massive hassle.

[EWT Spoons]

Rasolea leaving Edinburgh to join Grenoble in the summer

I've heard it's linked to the pro14s decision to move to premier sports as it's broadcaster......

[RDW]

SRU has finally announced its player welfare programme - sounds good in theory but need to see how it works in practice.

Scottish Rugby has today (Thursday 8 March) launched its comprehensive player support programme 'Rugby for Life'.

Following 18 months of research and development the wide-ranging portfolio of support options is designed to work with players at whatever age, or stage, of their career.

Already this year Rugby for Life workshops have taken place with Scotland team, Glasgow Warriors, Scotland 7s and Edinburgh Rugby players, as well as practical sessions with the BT Sport Academy.

The programme has been developed by Scottish Rugby’s Human Resources department and is delivered by a combination of internal staff and external experts.

Scottish Rugby has become acutely aware of the need to develop a programme of support for all players and staff as awareness of mental health issues, especially in young men, has increased in society over recent years.

Advice and expertise from a cross section of mental health charities, professional organisations and academic experts have been consulted to better understand the impact of mental health issues and learn from examples of best practice.

Integrating key learnings from other sports and bespoke support for rugby players Rugby for Life was developed following a mandate from the Scottish Rugby Board to improve the breadth of player welfare, specifically off the pitch.

The programme aims to take a proactive approach to player support through education, awareness and hands-on experience to enable players to develop their mental health resilience and help in achieving a healthy sport/life balance as they transition into, or out of, professional rugby.

This includes identifying those with long-term injuries, advice on managing finances, an insight into post-playing career options, work experience and support with further education.

Specific research has also been commissioned into players in Scotland to help develop a better understanding of mental health issues and areas that future support can be targeted towards.

A specific programme of support is currently being delivered at the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy to enable young players to develop as people, as well as athletes, with focus on continuing education, training and personal development.

Another area of wider development is help in spotting ‘triggers’ which could result in mental health issues in an individual. This led to staff being trained in Mental Health First Aid to enable those working closely with players to be proactive at critical times.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: “As one of the largest employers of professional players in world rugby we have a significant responsibility to ensure we have a robust and effective programme in place to support player welfare.

“It is a subject we take very seriously and Rugby for Life has both harnessed work we were already doing and enabled us to be proactive and bring in new learnings and initiatives to support players in our care.

“We are proud of the world-class medical support we provide and our objective is to match that with care for the individual’s mental health and personal circumstances.

“We are often dealing with young people, many of whom are living away from their homes and support networks. Being a professional athlete is not an easy lifestyle choice and presents players with a whole variety of challenges.

"Our role is to help equip them to deal with situations or give them options that enables they can make informed choices to manage their careers.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr James Robson, said: “Rugby for Life is an excellent initiative as it enables us to support the needs of players holistically and can work alongside the medical support we currently provide.

“Often it is players who are long-term injured or unable to perform at their best, for whatever reason, who need to be supported the most. This programme gives us the tools to ensure players are supported in body and mind as they progress through their careers and the challenges that will inevitably create along the way.”

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson said: “As with any walk of life we are talking about people in the first instance, therefore we should be ensuring they are supported to enable them to work and live in the best possible environment and state of mind.

“We are in a fortunate position to work closely with our players day in, day out and this has helped us develop a programme that matches the needs and issues we are seeing.

“Rugby for Life will help coaches, players and their families, and support the work done in other player welfare areas.”

Work is already underway to support players at grassroots level in Scotland who may have suffered long-term injuries through Scottish Rugby’s Welfare Officer and the financial backing of the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation.

Scottish Rugby sponsors BT and RBS have also contributed time and expertise to providing financial planning advice and work experience opportunities for BT Sport Academy and professional players.

The work of Scottish Rugby’s International Relocation Adviser, Ben Atiga, also ensures players coming to Scotland from overseas are properly supported and their families integrated into a new way of life in a different country.

A Pacific Islanders network has been established to enable those players and their families to retain their own cultural links.

[tigertattie]

Rasolea leaving Edinburgh to join Grenoble in the summer

I've heard it's linked to the pro14s decision to move to premier sports as it's broadcaster......

Jnr's family clearly love BBC or they don't want to pay to watch him play!

[tigertattie]

Lol. Just realised the below

Overall Leaderboard

Spoiler:
1 Secret Fly 228 pts
2 RuggerRadge2611 227 pts
3 tigertattie 225 pts

Does this mean than Fife boy and myself are the most knowledgeable among us Scots fans?

Or does it simply mean we are the jammiest?

Also, shame on the rest of you for not going for a Scotland win against England!!!

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

DTH coming back to the Warriors - yesssssssss

[RDW]

Yet to be confirmed but sounds likely - would be great for Glasgow to get him back but does ask the question why let him go in the first place! From memory he was let go as opposed to asking to leave.

Glasgow made some good wing signings this season (Masaga and Tagive) but they haven't really worked out, mainly due to injury.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

It was a feck up re contracts at Dumpling HQ, EH2 apparently. No surprise there tbh !

[BigGee]

Yet to be confirmed but sounds likely - would be great for Glasgow to get him back but does ask the question why let him go in the first place! From memory he was let go as opposed to asking to leave.

Glasgow made some good wing signings this season (Masaga and Tagive) but they haven't really worked out, mainly due to injury.

Tagive looks like he has some promise and won't be an expensive option to hang on to, so I would hope he might stay on for at least another year to see if he can cut it at this level.

Masaga has been disappointing and has joined our lengthening list of ex ABs at the end of their careers who have been pretty poor signings. Getting back into the grove of serious rugby after a pension scheme stint in Japan never seems to work out well. He was on a two year contract but you do wonder if he will stay around to see it out if his body really is not up to it any more.

The other great unknown is of course Leo Sarto, who we know is a really good player, but certainly has not been good value for money with injury and international call ups, though not quite as bad as George North has been for Northampton! I am sure most fans would like him to stay on, but would understand if he has to go.

Signing DTH makes good sense, assuming he has still got the legs as well. He has hardly played this season as well, though that is mainly because of the talent Newcastle have available n the wings. Goniva and Sinoti would walk into most teams.

[RDW]

Yet to be confirmed but sounds likely - would be great for Glasgow to get him back but does ask the question why let him go in the first place! From memory he was let go as opposed to asking to leave.

Glasgow made some good wing signings this season (Masaga and Tagive) but they haven't really worked out, mainly due to injury.

Tagive looks like he has some promise and won't be an expensive option to hang on to, so I would hope he might stay on for at least another year to see if he can cut it at this level.

Masaga has been disappointing and has joined our lengthening list of ex ABs at the end of their careers who have been pretty poor signings. Getting back into the grove of serious rugby after a pension scheme stint in Japan never seems to work out well. He was on a two year contract but you do wonder if he will stay around to see it out if his body really is not up to it any more.

The other great unknown is of course Leo Sarto, who we know is a really good player, but certainly has not been good value for money with injury and international call ups, though not quite as bad as George North has been for Northampton! I am sure most fans would like him to stay on, but would understand if he has to go.

Signing DTH makes good sense, assuming he has still got the legs as well. He has hardly played this season as well, though that is mainly because of the talent Newcastle have available n the wings. Goniva and Sinoti would walk into most teams.

Well that's the caveat - the VDM of old would be a great signing. At 31 will he be the same player?

[Welly]

Has anyone on here heard the rumour Rory Hutchinson to Glasgow?

[BigGee]

Has anyone on here heard the rumour Rory Hutchinson to Glasgow?

He is a decent player who has not had much of a look in at Saints this year after getting a reasonable amount of game time last year. Probably not had the chance to fulfil his potential yet.

We are not so short of centres though, so not sure where he would fit it, unless someone else is heading off. Still no news on Richie Vernon for next year and Paddy Kelly was only on a one year deal, so we are still waiting news if they will be staying. Neither has really featured this season.

Glasgow have been pretty quiet on the comings and going front this season. There are rumours of DTH and of a big American back row (with Samoan Heritage) from Narbonne but noyhing confirmed yet. I still think we need another FH as well with FR leaving, but I don't imagine they would be looking at RH in that role.

Where did you hear that rumour from Welly?

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

In fairness to Masaga he has had injury problems but any time he played looked pretty tasty - a big handoff specialist !

[BigGee]

In fairness to Masaga he has had injury problems but any time he played looked pretty tasty - a big handoff specialist !

I am pretty sure he was on a 2 year deal, so he will likely be staying on. He is no doubt still a very good player, but you do have to ask if the body is still willing and able. At his age and having stepped away from serious rugby for a while, it is just not easy to get match fit again and if you try and push it, you end up injured.

We were all quite excited by his signing and he may yet come good. Lots of ifs and buts though!

[TJ]

Nicknames - surely Zander Fagerson should be "the choirboy" as he actually was one as well as for his angelic looks and sweet disposition

[tigertattie]

Nicknames - surely Zander Fagerson should be "the choirboy" as he actually was one as well as for his angelic looks and sweet disposition

Nope, even though I'm not a smelly soap dodger, even I have to agree with Ragnar for him

[jimbopip]

Nicknames - surely Zander Fagerson should be "the choirboy" as he actually was one as well as for his angelic looks and sweet disposition

Ragnar The Pretty.

[TJ]

*sniggers*

[George Carlin]

What the fork happened at the weekend then gents? I didn't watch it and now I'm not going to.

Were we at the races?

[RDW]

What the fork happened at the weekend then gents? I didn't watch it and now I'm not going to.

Were we at the races?

It was always going to be difficult, and Ireland were good, but we really didn't help ourselves with terrible execution at times.

It was actually a close game up until Horne threw the interception, and we'd had a good 10 minute spell leading up to it which was frustrating.

Huw Jones then butchered what was pretty much an open goal 2 on 1. It wasn't looking too bad going into half time but we then messed up a lineout on their 10m line with 2 minutes to go which led to them scoring right on the half time whistle which was a ody blow. Ireland then scored soon after half time and they're the championship moments in games.

Hogg then butchered another clear 2 on 1 score and Horne also messed up a good break he made.

If we had executed better it may have been a much more interesting game!

[Hazel Sapling]

Watching the Italy game, looked up Simone Favaro (not playing) to find out what French club he was at. He is playing national league in Italy for a Rome based side.

Would he be welcomed back on a cheap contract? Surprised he did not find a home at one of the pro sides in Italy at least.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Simone Favoro was playing for a Italian police 15 until recently. What a waste of a talented player whose bravery caused him serious injuries that was his undoing at the Warriors.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Nicknames - surely Zander Fagerson should be "the choirboy" as he actually was one as well as for his angelic looks and sweet disposition

Ragnar The Pretty.

Or Zander 'FFS Don't Touch my Scrumcap Or Else' Fagerson

[RDW]

Cockers has confirmed Hardie will be off after this season. Disciplinary issues aside he's still a top 7 who should attract interest from a decent Premiership side I'm sure.

No surprise he's off given he only covers 7, and we'll have Watson, Barclay, Ritchie and Crosbie able to play there.

[EWT Spoons]

Cockers has confirmed Hardie will be off after this season. Disciplinary issues aside he's still a top 7 who should attract interest from a decent Premiership side I'm sure.

No surprise he's off given he only covers 7, and we'll have Watson, Barclay, Ritchie and Crosbie able to play there.

Loads of rumours that he's going back to NZ. Hope that's not true as he could still do a job for Scotland. Glasgow could possibly use him as well.

Odds on him going to Worcester?

[EWT Spoons]

Actually latest rumours are either Newcastle, Worcester or Bristol are potential destinations for Hardie

[BigGee]

Hard to see him going back home without a pension pot and you would imagine he would want to play in the next WC as well.

I am sure he will sign up for another club in the NH.

[EWT Spoons]

I agree, but I guess it depends on if he has an international future, or if he feels he would be better going back to play in NZ for reasons other than rugby.

I too think he will sign for a NH team though.

[RDW]

Hardie is potentially only a Watson injury away from starting for Scotland so I'd be surprised if he headed home to NZ. Below Hardie there's a big drop off - I don't really class Barclay as a 7 anymore (he hasn't played there in ages) and other options like Wilson at 7 are just a stopgap.

Next in line are the young generation in Ritchie, Crosbie, Matt Smith etc but they're probably not ready for full callups yet. Ritchie being the most experienced may go on the summer tour.

We could still do with Hardie!

[tigertattie]

Barclay is very much a 6.5 which seems to be a rather handy position/player type to have these days. It's becoming more the done thing to do these days to play with almost two opensides (unless you are England)

I can very much see Edinburgh using Barclay primarily at 6 and likely as Captain. Likely players in each position (in order according to my humble opinion) are:

6's
Barclay, Bradbury, Crosbie, CDP
7's
Mish, Ritchie, Barclay
8's
Mata, CDP, Bradbury, Barclay

Plenty cover there for the backrow but in terms of ability, an injury to Mish (or international call up) would have Hardie starting at 7.

I really don't mind Hardie moving on as A) it will give him a fresh start and B) it frees up a position for a youngster at Edinburgh

I can honestly see Hardie going to a decent AP team or maybe even a team over in France.

If he can keep himself in the starting XV in a new side, he could easily feature for Scotland in the future.

[Hazel Sapling]

CDP is gone TT. Guessing Bradbury will be challenged to become the starting 8 with Mata benching.

I thought Ritchie was more of a 6 who can play 7 than the other way round. It will be interesting next season to see if Barclay stays at blindside when Ritchie plays.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

David Tamlineau has signed for the Warriors ................................






in Utah

[IanBru]

Glasgow Warriors have tweeted a single picture saying, in rather a grave tone (at least in my head)

"Glasgow Warriors
Club Announcement
12 noon"

All very mysterious!

[RDW]

"Club announcement" is a bit ominous...

[tigertattie]

"Club announcement" is a bit ominous...

for who?

[EST]

It doesn't strike me as how you would announce good news.

[RDW]

It doesn't strike me as how you would announce good news.

That's what I thought

[IanBru]

I'm tempted to send a text to Hagia Sophia headed "RELATIONSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT", and see what happens.

As she's from Gateshead, she'll probably murder me.

[demosthenes]

It doesn't strike me as how you would announce good news.

That's what I thought

Rennie off to coach Wales?

[IanBru]

DTH INCOMING!!

[EWT Spoons]

with immediate effect. Interesting

[EWT Spoons]

Edinburgh vs Munster chat - https://www.606v2.com/t67313-edinburgh-vs-munster-16-03#3686751

[jimbopip]

I'm tempted to send a text to Hagia Sophia headed "RELATIONSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT", and see what happens.

As she's from Gateshead, she'll probably murder me someone at sometime soon.

Fixed that for you

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

No 11 top on its way to Geordieland. Starts v Zebre next week - puleeez !

[jimbopip]

The Sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games has been announced;


Glenn Bryce (Edinburgh Rugby)              Alloa                           Edinburgh
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)           Dundee                     Glasgow
Jamie Farndale (Scotland 7s)                   Edinburgh                 Edinburgh
James Fleming (Scotland 7s)                    Perth                          Edinburgh
Nyle Godsmark (Scotland 7s)                    Lilliesleaf                   Edinburgh
Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby)          Hawick                       Edinburgh
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors)           Cupar                         Glasgow
Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors)      Aberdeen                  Glasgow
Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors)                  Selkirk                        Glasgow
Gavin Lowe (Scotland 7s)                          Mauchline                 Glasgow
Max McFarland (Scotland 7s)                    Clontarf                      Glasgow
Joe Nayacavou (Scotland 7s)                   Nausori, Fiji               Edinburgh
Scott Riddell (Scotland 7s)                         Edinburgh                 Edinburgh

Since the matches are the 14th and 15th April then that means the Glasgow players will miss, at least, the Connacht and Ulster games.
Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Ruaridh Jackson and Lee Jones

Thinking about it, they may well miss the Scarlets' match on the 7th too. Hopefully this means good news on the injury front and lots of fit players to choose from.
Obviously DTH can be a stand in for the Selkirk Pixie (not too big a drop in quality there). But the Pixie has been on very good form and would be starting for me.
On current form G Horne would start ahead of Henners or Mad Mad Mata.
Jacko, too, has been excellent this season and will be missed.
Back row is an area of some strength but I'd rather have Fagerson available because he is such an outstanding young talent.

Mind you His Richieness is back so he'll cover all of the above.

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