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

by R!skysports Wed 03 Jan 2018, 10:51 am

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.

kiss

The average age of a Scotland Front row is nnnnnnnnn19 - A thread for Glasgow and Edinburgh go to banter war….. - Page 11 Davefr10

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Thu 15 Mar 2018, 10:34 pm

Aye Jimbo . They (George Horne, Jacko, Matt Fagerson and Lee Jones) are 4 of our most consistent performers the season. An unbelievably stupid decision to arse about at 7s FFS.

by jimbopip Fri 16 Mar 2018, 4:33 pm

On the plus side Schiz, they should be back in time for the play offs and should bring a freshness to training at the right time.
Also, I told young Pipetto and he thought for a second and said, "Well that's Scotland won one gold medal then"
Oh the confidence of youth.

by demosthenes Fri 16 Mar 2018, 4:35 pm

Can we assume that Nico won't be in the Fiji CG squad?

by jimbopip Fri 16 Mar 2018, 5:54 pm

With Mad Mad Mata it's best not to assume. Anything. Ever. Shocked

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 16 Mar 2018, 10:26 pm

Right. So we now know the IN Scotland scrum half pecking order after watching the Luvvies struggle to beat a really pish Munster in front of about 20-30 people at The Library :-

G Horne; Price ; Pyrgos ; GW Academy Lad; Scotstoun Jannie's 8 year old nephew; SH-Clown and Fowles.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 16 Mar 2018, 10:40 pm

jimbopip wrote:On the plus side Schiz, they should be back in time for the play offs and should bring a freshness to training at the right time.
Also, I told young Pipetto and he thought for a second and said, "Well that's Scotland won one gold medal then"
Oh the confidence of youth.

Aye that Wee Fella brings a tear to ma een !

by Welly Fri 16 Mar 2018, 11:02 pm

Edinburgh have never gotten 12 wins in the Celtic league comp.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 16 Mar 2018, 11:47 pm

demosthenes wrote:Can we assume that Nico won't be in the Fiji CG squad?

Are they not still persona non grata after a wee bit of military coup type japes a few years back

by jimbopip Sat 17 Mar 2018, 11:50 am

So...

a huge thank you to the Luvvies Hug

3 points will see Glasgow into a home play-off. Which as we have Zebra at home on Friday, their players will surely be cream crackered after losing five 6Nations matches in a row, DTH will come on after 60 minutes and run rings around them.

Ten Points will give us a home semi, regardless of what Munster do. We could seal this with a five pointer at Porky Scaaahlets, but realistically any win there will leave us needing just one point. You know I think I shall be driving over to the land of Dylan Thomas for that one.

The Luvvies can still make second in their conference; Ulster still have to play both Scottish teams and if they lose both then the cat will well and truly be among the pigeons.

I still think that the extra play off game gives an incredible advantage to the conference winners who have a week off while the second and third sides knock lumps out of each other.
The smart money says Warriors v Ladyboys in the final. Cool

by Hazel Sapling Sat 17 Mar 2018, 2:38 pm

Edinburgh have been winning these games and certainly looked much better at the breakdown than previously. The gameplan was poor and they relied on a couple of magic moments to get across the line. They played poorly against Munster B's and last year they would have lost that. Heck, 2 years ago they would have.

Cockerill is instilling a hardness into that squad and his next challenge is to develop the cutting edge. Be interesting to see if he can develop as a coach and in his philosophy to deliver that.

by **BigGee** Wed 21 Mar 2018, 12:02 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43473255

Interview with Dobo from the BBC website.

He is very bullish about the impending super 6, which he says is going to be way over subscribed and does not deny that the SRU is interested in gaining a stake in the AP.

I like the man, who has made a lot of difficult decisions for Scottish rugby, most odf which have come good. He does seem to possess a genuine vision of where our game needs to go if it is not going to get left behind. He does not seem to be afraid to put his head on the block.

He is also very pragmatic, making it clear that a third team in Scotland is simply not financially viable. something that if we are all honest with ourselves, we do already realise.

by **NeilyBroon** Wed 21 Mar 2018, 12:20 pm

BigGee wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43473255

Interview with Dobo from the BBC website.

He is very bullish about the impending super 6, which he says is going to be way over subscribed and does not deny that the SRU is interested in gaining a stake in the AP.

I like the man, who has made a lot of difficult decisions for Scottish rugby, most odf which have come good. He does seem to possess a genuine vision of where our game needs to go if it is not going to get left behind. He does not seem to be afraid to put his head on the block.

He is also very pragmatic, making it clear that a third team in Scotland is simply not financially viable. something that if we are all honest with ourselves, we do already realise.

Undoubtedly Dodson has done a lot for Scottish rugby - a far cry from the dark days of McKay and the blazer brigade. It's refreshing to have senior management that have driven tangible results. Even Scott Johnson deserves some credit for the contacts he has given the SRU and the involvement he had in scouting Cotter (just as long as he never coaches the team again).

I think once Dodson's done with Scotland he will certainly not be short of job offers.

by **BigGee** Wed 21 Mar 2018, 1:10 pm

NeilyBroon wrote:
BigGee wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43473255

Interview with Dobo from the BBC website.

He is very bullish about the impending super 6, which he says is going to be way over subscribed and does not deny that the SRU is interested in gaining a stake in the AP.

I like the man, who has made a lot of difficult decisions for Scottish rugby, most odf which have come good. He does seem to possess a genuine vision of where our game needs to go if it is not going to get left behind. He does not seem to be afraid to put his head on the block.

He is also very pragmatic, making it clear that a third team in Scotland is simply not financially viable. something that if we are all honest with ourselves, we do already realise.

Undoubtedly Dodson has done a lot for Scottish rugby - a far cry from the dark days of McKay and the blazer brigade. It's refreshing to have senior management that have driven tangible results. Even Scott Johnson deserves some credit for the contacts he has given the SRU and the involvement he had in scouting Cotter (just as long as he never coaches the team again).

I think once Dodson's done with Scotland he will certainly not be short of job offers.

The good thing as well is that he seems to be in no rush to be off. He has been in the job a good few years now and seems to want to see it through. As you say, it won't have gone unnoticed that he is doing a pretty decent job and their are bigger cheque books out there than that of the SRU.

by **RDW** Wed 21 Mar 2018, 1:29 pm

I suspect he has a time in mind for when he will be moving on - may be after the World Cup and the end of the first Super 6 season (2020) as that would be a natural time to go.

You never know he may be in it for the long haul, but the old cliche of going out on a high will be on his mind I'm sure!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Thu 22 Mar 2018, 9:16 am

Well this may be an omen but Minozzi the speedy Italian and Zebre full back was wearing Glasgow Warriors boxers on Saturday and rumours rife that he could be a signing target. Looks like he plays for Zebre tomorrow too.

by **RDW** Thu 22 Mar 2018, 9:46 am

Not sure Glasgow really need him - with Hogg, Jackson , Seymour, Thomson etc all able to play 15. Plus he'll be away a lot with Italy.

by **George Carlin** Thu 22 Mar 2018, 9:47 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Not sure Glasgow really need him - with Hogg, Jackson , Seymour, Thomson etc all able to play 15. Plus he'll be away a lot with Italy.

And apart from anything else, his colleague Mr Sarto is back.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Thu 22 Mar 2018, 10:09 am

I'd be shocked if clubs aren't starting to queue up to sign Minozzi, not sure Glasgow would be the best choice for him given the competition he'd have for the 15 shirt there as RDW says

by **RDW** Thu 22 Mar 2018, 10:11 am

George Carlin wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Not sure Glasgow really need him - with Hogg, Jackson , Seymour, Thomson etc all able to play 15. Plus he'll be away a lot with Italy.
And apart from anything else, his colleague Mr Sarto is back.

He's still out long term injured just now.

by **RDW** Thu 22 Mar 2018, 10:43 am

Interview with Cockers this morning pretty much saying he refused to let any of his players go off to the Commonwealth games, which is fair enough - he says 7s is a development tool for 15s so there's no reason his top players should play there.

He also gave a vague response when asked about Dickinson's fitness - basically saying he's only going to return when he's ready, and is still trying to paint a positive picture that his career isn't soon to be over.

by tigertattie Thu 22 Mar 2018, 12:04 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Interview with Cockers this morning pretty much saying he refused to let any of his players go off to the Commonwealth games, which is fair enough - he says 7s is a development tool for 15s so there's no reason his top players should play there.

He also gave a vague response when asked about Dickinson's fitness - basically saying he's only going to return when he's ready, and is still trying to paint a positive picture that his career isn't soon to be over.

Well he has let some go in Graham and Bryce but he did say "top" players which Graham isn't yet and Bryce just isn't!

by Welly Thu 22 Mar 2018, 12:09 pm

tigertattie wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Interview with Cockers this morning pretty much saying he refused to let any of his players go off to the Commonwealth games, which is fair enough - he says 7s is a development tool for 15s so there's no reason his top players should play there.

He also gave a vague response when asked about Dickinson's fitness - basically saying he's only going to return when he's ready, and is still trying to paint a positive picture that his career isn't soon to be over.

Well he has let some go in Graham and Bryce but he did say "top" players which Graham isn't yet and Bryce just isn't!

TBF they probably had it in their contracts that they could play in the commonwealth games.

by **RDW** Thu 22 Mar 2018, 12:33 pm

https://www.606v2.com/t67343-connacht-v-edinburgh

by Hazel Sapling Thu 22 Mar 2018, 2:45 pm

It would be great to see Graham get some gametime, but being practical there is Fife, Hoyland, Kinghorn, Brown, VDM and Harries already in the back 3 (probably get told that Hoyland and Brown are long term injured now; I don't know what has happened to them).

Is Bryce going to be a 7s player next year? I am not sure he will get a contract with another top tier club (as in a top league like the Aviva) and he is not needed in either Scots club unless Jackson or Hogg ( censored

) left. It would be a shame as he did well at Glasgow and looked to be a good club player in the way that Eddie was.

by **RDW** Fri 23 Mar 2018, 9:53 pm

So with Fowles once again being awful, and Weir once again winning us the game, it does highlight the risk Cockerill is taking in overhauling his halfbacks next season. VDW doesn't look like a 10 to build a team around, and there's always a bedding in period for new signings as we'll get with Hickey.

If we don't sign a new 9 I really hope Charlie Sheil turns out to be a superstar!

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Mar 2018, 10:01 pm

There must be a SH on the way to Edinburgh.

Sheil has not played a single minute of professional rugby and neither Fowles nor Kennedy give anyone a sense of confidence.

If there is not then that is some indictment on the club's recruitment policy.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 23 Mar 2018, 11:52 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:So with Fowles once again being awful, and Weir once again winning us the game, it does highlight the risk Cockerill is taking in overhauling his halfbacks next season. VDW doesn't look like a 10 to build a team around, and there's always a bedding in period for new signings as we'll get with Hickey.

If we don't sign a new 9 I really hope Charlie Sheil turns out to be a superstar!

Wow

Thought Dunky was crap ?!?

by TJ Sat 24 Mar 2018, 6:58 am

What on earthg is going on at Edinburgh. Nicked another game coming from behind in the last few minutes. How many times this season have we done that? compared to the last few years when we lost games we should have won allowing teams to nick them in the last few minutes. cockrill really has given the Edinburgh teamthe backbone they were missing.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Mar 2018, 8:11 am

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:So with Fowles once again being awful, and Weir once again winning us the game, it does highlight the risk Cockerill is taking in overhauling his halfbacks next season. VDW doesn't look like a 10 to build a team around, and there's always a bedding in period for new signings as we'll get with Hickey.

If we don't sign a new 9 I really hope Charlie Sheil turns out to be a superstar!

Wow Thought Dunky was crap ?!?

For his last season and a bit at Glasgow, then first season and a bit at Edinburgh, he was crap (again most weegies would agree) - he has come into some form lately though coinciding with him being told he's not needed!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sat 24 Mar 2018, 8:36 am

Talking of FHs Adam Hastings was excellent last night along with Henry Pyrgos, whose service was really brisk all night. Zebre just got blown away in the first 20 then had Canna carded and shipped 21 points. Game all over by 30 mins. What do you say about DTH VDM. What a rugby player - fits right in with the way we (and Scarlets tbf) play rugby. Not the Aviva type game of bore you rigid, up your jumper grind.

by **BigGee** Sat 24 Mar 2018, 8:56 am

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Talking of FHs Adam Hastings was excellent last night along with Henry Pyrgos, whose service was really brisk all night. Zebre just got blown away in the first 20 then had Canna carded and shipped 21 points. Game all over by 30 mins. What do you say about DTH VDM. What a rugby player - fits right in with the way we (and Scarlets tbf) play rugby. Not the Aviva type game of bore you rigid, up your jumper grind.

To be fair. Newcastle do chuck it about a bit by AP standards and DTH would have done well there had he got a look in. The fact that he did not is because they have Sinotti and Goneva tearing it up on the wings and they would get into most sides as well.

Still, I am very pleased to have him back, he is still a quality player, who proved again last night that he knows where the try line is.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 24 Mar 2018, 4:22 pm

On an unrelated note, just watching sarries, it appears blair Cowan has been signed by them. Maybe we'll see a renaissance?

by **RDW** Sat 24 Mar 2018, 5:15 pm

Good result for Edinburgh - Ulster lose with no BP

by jimbopip Sat 24 Mar 2018, 6:19 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Good result for Edinburgh - Ulster lose with no BP

An Embra v Glasgow semi, or even final appears a real possibility now.

If it was the rugby club versus the Exfoliators in Dublin I think I would risk divorce and attend. Mrs Pip and I have decided on "a few days, somewhere sunny" around the end of May/start of June. I asked her today if she fancied Dublin and she said, "that's not even funny".

by **RDW** Mon 26 Mar 2018, 8:20 am

https://www.606v2.com/t67351-edinburgh-v-blues-challenge-cup-quarter-final#3690602

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 26 Mar 2018, 4:12 pm

With their normal lack of efficiency the SRU have ballsed up what was quite a good gesture in the free ticket +1 with your season ticket for M'field for the GWs v Luvvies decider on 28 April. Only certain Sections are available and only silver sections at that. This is really pissing off a lot of Warrior fans who invest quite a lot in the club - me included. Any way one way or another - phone call required as per usual 16 tickets secured.

by **RDW** Mon 26 Mar 2018, 4:15 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:With their normal lack of efficiency the SRU have ballsed up what was quite a good gesture in the free ticket +1 with your season ticket for M'field for the GWs v Luvvies decider on 28 April. Only certain Sections are available and only silver sections at that. This is really pissing off a lot of Warrior fans who invest quite a lot in the club - me included. Any way one way or another - phone call required as per usual 16 tickets secured.

To be fair, it is an Edinburgh home game! Run

It's amazing to think the game may end up a dead rubber - Glasgow will almsot certainly already have a home semi secured and there's a good chance Edinburgh will have secure 3rd place too, but be too far away to finish 2nd.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 26 Mar 2018, 4:21 pm

Good try RD but I ain't biting laughing

by **RDW** Mon 26 Mar 2018, 4:23 pm

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 26 Mar 2018, 4:27 pm

Well we could help you get 2nd and a home QF if we can beat Scarlets in Llanelli - big ask down there especially after last season's utterly pitiful effort there. Then we play Ulster in Belfast so that could cement you into at least 3rd.

See you in Dublin on 27 May then Very Happy

by **RDW** Mon 26 Mar 2018, 4:39 pm

Well we're 2 points behind Scarlets, so if we beat Ulster, Scarlets and Glasgow we could finish 2nd depending on bonus points!

Scarlets have Glasgow H, Edinburgh A and Dragons away so Glasgow could do us a huge favour by winning - I hope they put out a full strength team.

It could be very close and it would be very interesting if an Edinburgh win gets us 2nd and Glasgow have nothing to play for...!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 26 Mar 2018, 5:15 pm

There is always the '72 Cup Yahoo

by jimbopip Mon 26 Mar 2018, 9:03 pm

The run-in gets more intriguing the more I look at it.

Cheetahs have two home games and an away game against Kings who are one of the poorest sides in the Pro14. Cheetahs' home form is excellent and they must feel confident about winning their last two home matches. Interestingly, they play Munster at home. If Cheetahs win all three then they are runners up and a home QF.
Any team which have to travel to South Africa and back before a semi, on the back of a tough season will be cream crackered and although it is not impossible for an away win it is against the odds, to put it mildly.

Then you need to consider the Champions Cup.

Munster have Toulon this week, then they fly out to SA for a fortnight and back home for their final league match against Ulster. Firstly, I think Munster can beat Toulon which means they will have another semi to consider. Secondly, even if they are out of the play off running Ulster will still want to end the season on a high by thumping Munster.

The more I look at Munster's run-in the more I fancy Cheetahs to pip them for second place.

Scarlets have an easy-ish last game against Dragons but could easily lose their other two matches; home to Glasgow and away to the MFL. Again Scarlets have a Euro QF this week against La Rochelle, while Glasgow are putting their feet up and resting. If Glasgow win at Parc Y Scarlets then the Luvvies could steal second place.

So,
Luvvies at home to Munster

Cheetahs at home to Scarlets.

If either of the away sides are still in Europe then the smart money would have to be on the home sides.

So,

Glasgow v Luvvies

Ladyboys v Cheetahs.

Don't forget that the Luvvies are still in the Diddy Cup, which could prove a bridge too far for them.

Cheetahs big hope would be that the Ladyboys rest several players in the hunt for European glory and come unstuck.

Glasgow seem to have the easiest schedule in terms of travel and fixture congestion.

chin

We're doomed, I say. Doomed. picard

by **RDW** Wed 28 Mar 2018, 12:58 pm

Mark Dodson extends his contract to 2023, answering the question of when he will move on from the SRU.

by EST Wed 28 Mar 2018, 1:43 pm

That's a great bit of business, he must have had offers from elsewhere.

In his time in charge, the SRU have got most of the big decisions correct - with the BT deal proving to be transformative in terms of setting up the academies.

by Hazel Sapling Wed 28 Mar 2018, 3:01 pm

He has got some big decisions correct (move to Scotstoun, getting Cotter, BT, Academy set-up) and does not appear afraid to row back on the failures (Hotel at Murrayfield(?), London Scots, Myreside). I think he tends to get things wrong as much as right and that is not a criticism. He tries things and it is the only way a small nation can survive in sport.

There are a couple of big risks ahead with the Super Sixes and the potential top tier investment in England, but we are now in a position that Edinburgh and Glasgow are performing well, the union is basically debt free, and the national teams are consistently improving (ok, maybe not the 7s).

by **RDW** Thu 29 Mar 2018, 8:33 am

Good interview with Roddy Grant about Cockerill's coaching style

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43528437

by EWT Spoons Thu 29 Mar 2018, 10:41 am

That is a decent interview with Roddy. I'm glad he's learning from Cockers as it'll stand him in good stead for the future.

Reports from the insideline (or something along those lines) are suggesting that Luke Hamilton will be signing for Edinburgh.

Initially I thought that was a strange move, as Edinburgh are fairly well stocked in the BR, but looking at the squad I think we have the following:

6 - Bradbury & Barclay (assuming Cockers sees bradbury as a 6
7 - Ritchie & Watson
8 - Crosbie, Mata, and if he ever plays, Miller

Now Crosbie & Miller (especially Miller) are still young and probably fringe players, Hamilton I believe can play across the backrow, so having him cover 6 (with Bradbury playing 8), or him playing 8, makes sense. Hardie, can only really play 7 (maybe 6 at a push) and CDP just doesn't perform consistently enough for Cockers.

So I can kind of see the logic behind the move (if it turns out to be anything more than a rumour).

by Hazel Sapling Thu 29 Mar 2018, 11:37 am

I would rather that Barclay gets pushed to be the back-up 7 (his original position), Bradbury competes for the 8 berth with Mata and Ritchie stays at 6 than swapping them around. Certainly a Barclay-Watson-Mata backrow with Bradbury or Hamilton on the bench will be competitive against anyone.

Whether Ritchie is big enough to be a 6 at international level is a big question for his future. I assume Crosbie is a 6 as well.

Anyway you cut it though, Roddy Grant will be enjoying his work next year. Sounds like he is really enjoying the culture change under Cockerill and the pack is playing to it's potential finally.

by **BigGee** Thu 29 Mar 2018, 12:12 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:That is a decent interview with Roddy. I'm glad he's learning from Cockers as it'll stand him in good stead for the future.

Reports from the insideline (or something along those lines) are suggesting that Luke Hamilton will be signing for Edinburgh.

Initially I thought that was a strange move, as Edinburgh are fairly well stocked in the BR, but looking at the squad I think we have the following:

6 - Bradbury & Barclay (assuming Cockers sees bradbury as a 6
7 - Ritchie & Watson
8 - Crosbie, Mata, and if he ever plays, Miller

Now Crosbie & Miller (especially Miller) are still young and probably fringe players, Hamilton I believe can play across the backrow, so having him cover 6 (with Bradbury playing 8), or him playing 8, makes sense. Hardie, can only really play 7 (maybe 6 at a push) and CDP just doesn't perform consistently enough for Cockers.

So I can kind of see the logic behind the move (if it turns out to be anything more than a rumour).

You would think that they do need another back row, especially as quite a few of the ones they have will be in the international set up and be missing for a decent part of the season.

Miller is a strange one, as he has not had a look in, despite doing very well with London Scottish last season. I think he was off playing sevens for one of the tournaments this year, so maybe that is where his future lies. It does not look like it is going to be at Edinburgh.

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