20th Gathering of Edinburgh and Glasgow Discussion

First topic message reminder :

Edinburgh Squad

LH's: Schoeman, Dell, Marfo, Sutherland
Hookers: McInally, Ford, Fenton, Cherry
TH's: Nel, Berghan, McCallum, Ceccarelli
Second Row: Gilchrist, Toolis, McKenzie, Carmichael, Hunter-Hill
Back Row: Barclay, Hamilton, Crosbie; Watson, Ritchie; Bradbury, Mata, Miller, Nayalo

SH's: Pyrgos, Fowles, Kennedy, Shiel
FH's: Hickey, VDW, McLelland, Baggott
Centres: Scott, Socino, Bennett, Dean, Johnstone, G Taylor
Back 3: Fife, VDM, Hoyland, Brown, Graham; Kinghorn

Forward Total: 26
- Internationals: 16 (14 Scots, 1 Italian, 1 Fijian)
- NSQ: 4 (1 of whom is a project)
- Under 25 (as of September 1st, 2018): 7 (2 capped)
Backs Total: 20
- Internationals: 8 (Socino lone non-Scot)
- NSQ: 4 (2 projects)
- Under 25 (as of September 1st, 2018): 10 (2 capped)

Total: 46

Glasgow Squad

LH's: Bhatti, Allan, Kebble
Hookers: Brown, Turner, Stewart, Bryce
TH's: Fagerson, Nuka, Rae, Nicol
Second Row: Gray, Swinson, Cummings, McDonald, Brian, Peterson, Davidson
Back-Row: M Fagerson, Harley; Gibbins, Smith, Fusaro; Wilson, Ashe, Tameilau, Flockhart

SH's: Price, G Horne,Frisby, Mata, Baletto
FH's: Horne, Hastings, Jackson
Centres: Dunbar, H Jones, Johnson, Dunbar, Grigg, P Kelly
Back 3: Seymour, VDM, L Jones, Masaga, Tagive, Hughes, Beattie, Nairn; Hogg, Thomson

Forward Total: 27
- Internationals: 15 (12 Scots, 2 Americans, 1 Tongan)
- NSQ: 6 (2 projects)
- Under 25 (as of September 1st, 2018): 11 (4 capped, both projects)
Backs Total: 24
- Internationals: 14 (10 Scots, 1 Fijian, 1 Kiwi, 1 Canadian, 1 Aussie)
- NSQ: 4 (No projects if Thomson is already tied to SA)
- Under 25 (as of September 1st, 2018): 8 (1 capped)

Total: 51

Overall: 97 players
- Internationals: 53 (43 Scots)
- NSQ: 19 (5 projects)
- Under 25: 36 (9 capped)

Chat on twitter that Big Brian is off to Toulon on trial. Bad news for Glasgow, as from memory that leaves Gray, Cummings, Peterson & possibly Harley, wonder if it means one of the Edinburgh 2nd rows will move down the M8. Hopefully not, but would leave Glasgow very very short of 2nd rows.

EWT Spoons wrote:Chat on twitter that Big Brian is off to Toulon on trial.  Bad news for Glasgow, as from memory that leaves Gray, Cummings, Peterson & possibly Harley, wonder if it means one of the Edinburgh 2nd rows will move down the M8.  Hopefully not, but would leave Glasgow very very short of 2nd rows.

That would be very annoying if true. He's gonna be a very special player if he can get himself fit.

I have no idea if this source is any good and of course he could have a terrible trial, but seems to suggest he's there

http://sport24.lefigaro.fr/rugby/top-14/fil-info/toulon-un-premier-joueur-a-l-essai-est-arrive-925597

Would leave Edinburgh short in the second row if we send someone west given that Gilchrist most likely will be in the AIs and Toolis and potentially Charmichael may be involved too if we pick 4 locks (Gray being the other, Cumming potentially too).

Jamie Lyall is also reporting it, he's normally fairly accurate

If we were to lose someone I would have thought it might be Hunter-Hill, he's barely been on the radar at Edinburgh and could do with game time. I don't want to send anyone west, but they're massively short.  Other option is the lad they have on loan/trial/whatever it is, from newcastle.

CHH would be hte obvious choice but he's very likely to get gametime in the AIs. Can't imagine Cockers will want to let him go as during that period we'll be 1 injury away from a similar crisis as what Glasgow are having.

I agree I wouldn't want to lose any of them, but I wouldn't be shocked if it does happen.

EWT Spoons wrote:Chat on twitter that Big Brian is off to Toulon on trial.  Bad news for Glasgow, as from memory that leaves Gray, Cummings, Peterson & possibly Harley, wonder if it means one of the Edinburgh 2nd rows will move down the M8.  Hopefully not, but would leave Glasgow very very short of 2nd rows.

How on earth does this work? ‘Cheers lads for looking after me during all the injuries but I’ve heard here’s a sniff of French interest so I’m off to chase the dollars?’

Cockers got his way on Pyrgos so this may have to be the time he bows to the greater good!

What is Alex Toolis doing these days?

Jimbo - congrats Grandpa. Are you older or younger than Alan Solomons?

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:Chat on twitter that Big Brian is off to Toulon on trial.  Bad news for Glasgow, as from memory that leaves Gray, Cummings, Peterson & possibly Harley, wonder if it means one of the Edinburgh 2nd rows will move down the M8.  Hopefully not, but would leave Glasgow very very short of 2nd rows.

How on earth does this work? ‘Cheers lads for looking after me during all the injuries but I’ve heard here’s a sniff of French interest so I’m off to chase the dollars?’

It's possible he has a clause in his contract that allows him to be bought out if a bigger team comes calling, or if the contract they would offer him exceeds certain amounts. Certainly in football there are all kind of mad clauses so I assume there could be something similar here. Alternatively Rennie doesn't rate him/think he'll be fit enough (or any other reason) and is happy for him to move on.

He's also not the first, and won't be the last player, to have very little loyalty to his current employer and will happily move for more cash. Can't say I blame him, I've been with my current employer for a number of years, but if a rival came along and wanted to double my salary for doing the same job I wouldn't be able to move fast enough. I know players and clubs in theory should be different, but at the end of the day it's their job and like all of us, will want to earn as much as they can for doing it.

funnyExiledScot wrote:What is Alex Toolis doing these days?

Jimbo - congrats Grandpa. Are you older or younger than Alan Solomons?

I believe A. Toolis is playing in Japan, having signed this year for them. He'll likely be earning a fair bit playing for them, so not sure Glasgow would be willing to buy him out.

Probably a similar situation, but Murray Douglas could be an option, he's just signed a deal with the canes, but a move back to Scotland with the prospect of international honours, might tempt him. Unlikely but you never know.

There will be some money for Glasgow in this deal if it does go through, bit like with Leone but probably not on quite the same scale.

Presumably they see it as a good bit of business and the player also gets the chance to up his wages a bit. There are a good few young and decent second rows in the Scotland set up at the moment so they have decided to cash in on Brian, who has proved a bit of an injury magnet in any case.

I'd be unbelievably irritated if Brian moves on.

He's very close to Rennie though so perhaps they had some sort of gentleman's agreement.

The ex-factor is clearly that Brian is not fully fit (and having been constantly injured, may never be fully fit) and maybe Rennie wants to cut his losses and cash in. We cannot afford to lose a key tight 5 forward at the start of the season unless Rennie has a SH replacement in mind (which he might). I hope to hell that Rennie knows what he's doing in letting him go. It's fine to try and turn your entire backline into Damien McKenzie but unless you spend some time each game with the ball, you aren't going to get a chance to do the froo-froo stuff with it.

I'm gonna love seeing the reaction of Glasgow fans on social media if this is confirmed! 

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm gonna love seeing the reaction of Glasgow fans on social media if this is confirmed! 

Actually the Glasgow Warriors Forum, never usually a place of calm reflection about this sort of thing, has uncharacteristically been quite restrained about it so far.

I think the fact that it has been so long since we have seen Big Brian in action is probably a factor in this, he made quite an impression when he first arrived and then hardly played last season. Maybe it is for the best.

funnyExiledScot wrote:What is Alex Toolis doing these days?

Jimbo - congrats Grandpa. Are you older or younger than Alan Solomons?

Interestingly, Lyall comments on Glasgow having resources for a replacement. This would seem to suggest that they have someone lined up already. It also suggests that Jonny G is going nowhere.

Not a grandad yet FES, young Thor is still festering away till January. And yes, I was Solly's stunt double.

With all due respect to the over-sized and heavily chiselled injury magnet; What has he actuallly done or achieved for us in his short time with us?
Am I being unkind here, as I don't recall any fantastic match winning contributions, pulsating runs, hard-man enforcer style dominance, or anything much other than being a big lump of a Kiwi,......... who is a big lump of a Kiwi.
As I recall, the most outstanding thing he achieved was to be sent off twice in his first six games for cheap shots.
If we can offload his unfortunate, but ongoing injury status, and get some compensation, it must be a bonus.
Surely it is better to invest in some homegrown raw talent, with potential that may be reached, than wait around on a hoped-for talent that realistically would have emerged by now if it truly was there?
Honest or unfair?

I think the general reaction here is in agreement. Brian is injury prone potential. A Will Skelton-type who can't stay fit. If Toulon are paying for him and he is still injured, Glasgow are not losing anything. Swinson, Cummings, McDonald, Harley and Peterson should all be around during the 6 nations.

We should go for either a cheap squad player or a star. There is no point getting young players now with Cummings, McDonald, Davidson and Sykes all needing time in the next two seasons. We have enough fringe international types. We either commit to upgrading for the playoffs or we get a cheap, temp squad player (would Ollie Atkins or A Toolis be available for a 3 month loan until Swinson or McDonald gets back?)

https://theoffsideline.com/brian-alainuuese-to-join-toulon/

Things may not be quite as they seem. Kenny Murray hardly giving the move his endorsement from a press conference call in South Africa.

We will have to see how this one pans out.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Anyone know much about this guy?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45548491

Wouldn't surprise me to see him in the AI training squad knowing what Townsend it like.

I posted this on the wrong thread:

mikey_dragon wrote:

bsando wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45548491

Interesting.. no.8 is a position that would certainly benefit from a bit more competition. Did anyone else know he was SQ?

I just read it, and nah I didn't know myself. I think he (Thomson) was signed mainly as a 6, but can cover lock and no.8. He's looked good so far and his playing stats reflect that.

I believe I also read on here that Johnny McNichol was Scottish qualified? Although I'm hoping he opts for Wales on residency (I think it's next year he's eligible). Pivac is the Wales coach then, his current Scarlets coach. McNichol has turned into an awesome back 3 player and could be what we've been missing in that area lately.

Good player as myself and others have alluded to. He continues to fit right into the Scarlets type of play and it's if they haven't missed Shingler at all.

I had no idea Thomson was SQ or that your head coach was interested him either btw.

Most of us weren't really aware either Mikey. He looks like a nice prospect though - we haven't really had a test quality no.8 since Josh Strauss strangely fell out of favour and Johnny Beattie decided to become rubbish. Denton has hands like a wet jelly in a wind tunnel and Adam Ashe still has about a stone of weight and nastiness to add.

McNichol is SQ and we've been talking about him for years when he was with the Crusaders. He didn't feature in Cotter's plans but Toonie will have noticed him. He's probably a cut above some of our wing and full back options like St Rhubarb of Jackson, Dougie Fife and Lee Jones, etc. Thomson is more important to the squad at the moment, I would say.

BigGee wrote:https://theoffsideline.com/brian-alainuuese-to-join-toulon/

Things may not be quite as they seem. Kenny Murray hardly giving the move his endorsement from a press conference call in South Africa.

We will have to see how this one pans out.

The plot thickens, KM doesn't sound like he's delighted the media has got hold of this.

To be fair, KM says he's over there having a chat, whether it's a trial or talking about a move, I'm not sure it makes a huge difference. I think the emphasis on it not being a trial is due to him being injured so it doesn't sound like he's actually not injured.

If Toulon have invited him over to talk about a move, then it still suggests he'll be on his way.

George Carlin wrote:Most of us weren't really aware either Mikey. He looks like a nice prospect though - we haven't really had a test quality no.8 since Josh Strauss strangely fell out of favour and Johnny Beattie decided to become rubbish. Denton has hands like a wet jelly in a wind tunnel and Adam Ashe still has about a stone of weight and nastiness to add.

McNichol is SQ and we've been talking about him for years when he was with the Crusaders. He didn't feature in Cotter's plans but Toonie will have noticed him. He's probably a cut above some of our wing and full back options like St Rhubarb of Jackson, Dougie Fife and Lee Jones, etc. Thomson is more important to the squad at the moment, I would say.

Hard to imagine that McNichol has not been sounded out, but it does not look like he is interested in playing for Scotland, or maybe he is contractually not allowed to. Can't see that Scarlets would be keen on having him away for large parts of the season. Mind you that would be the same for Thompson, who clearly is not under the impression that he is contractually bound.

The other good winger who is known to be SQ but never been anywhere near a squad is Josh Bassett at Wasps. Another very classy player that you can only imagine has been spoken to as well. Maybe he is holding out for an England call, which seems to be nowhere near coming, or perhaps he just does not see himself as Scottish, despite being born there. Or maybe Toonie just does not rate him!

Baring injuries, we are reasonably well stocked for wingers with Seymour, Maitland and Kinghorn all very decent options and Fife, McGuigan and Jones all reasonable back ups. There will be a changing of the guard after the WC though as TS and SM are unlikely to go another full cycle and hopefully some of the younger prospects start to come through.

EWT Spoons wrote:To be fair, KM says he's over there having a chat, whether it's a trial or talking about a move, I'm not sure it makes a huge difference.  I think the emphasis on it not being a trial is due to him being injured so it doesn't sound like he's actually not injured.

If Toulon have invited him over to talk about a move, then it still suggests he'll be on his way.

Thinking about it, Big Brian does seem a strange sort of player for Toulon to take a punt on. He is not exactly a galatacio, not even an international and has a poor injury record. You do wonder how he would stand up to the atrocious nature of French rugby. There are already lots of big bruisers over there and he is not exactly going to stand out and would in all likeliehood just become a squad filler for them.

I suppose the kind of player that they really want is not going to become available this side of the WC and no bigger club is going to release a genuine international player during the season.

It all hums of a little bit of desperation to me and if BB wants to develop as a rugby player rather than just taking the immediate bucks available, he would be much better staying at Glasgow where he will get played this season a lot if he can get himself fit.

BigGee wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Most of us weren't really aware either Mikey. He looks like a nice prospect though - we haven't really had a test quality no.8 since Josh Strauss strangely fell out of favour and Johnny Beattie decided to become rubbish. Denton has hands like a wet jelly in a wind tunnel and Adam Ashe still has about a stone of weight and nastiness to add.

McNichol is SQ and we've been talking about him for years when he was with the Crusaders. He didn't feature in Cotter's plans but Toonie will have noticed him. He's probably a cut above some of our wing and full back options like St Rhubarb of Jackson, Dougie Fife and Lee Jones, etc. Thomson is more important to the squad at the moment, I would say.

Hard to imagine that McNichol has not been sounded out, but it does not look like he is interested in playing for Scotland, or maybe he is contractually not allowed to. Can't see that Scarlets would be keen on having him away for large parts of the season. Mind you that would be the same for Thompson, who clearly is not under the impression that he is contractually bound.

Not necessarily, it would surely depend on what's in the players contract, and this can differ from player to player.  McNichol may have been signed on the provision that he rejects playing for other national teams and awaits becoming Welsh qualified, or is incentivised to reject other nations to wait to become WQ, given he was signed when the window was 3 years, which might be different to Thomson who was signed once it moved to 5 years (I believe).  Or it may have nothing to do with becoming Welsh qualified and Blade just had a better agent/starting position and was able to negotiate that he would be allowed to play for any national team.  Or McNichol may be getting more money on the basis that he would be available all year round, and would be in breach of that should he elect to play for Scotland (for example).  I guess the point is that players contracts can be full of all manner of weird clauses & incentives that can vary from player to player,.

BigGee wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:To be fair, KM says he's over there having a chat, whether it's a trial or talking about a move, I'm not sure it makes a huge difference.  I think the emphasis on it not being a trial is due to him being injured so it doesn't sound like he's actually not injured.

If Toulon have invited him over to talk about a move, then it still suggests he'll be on his way.

Thinking about it, Big Brian does seem a strange sort of player for Toulon to take a punt on. He is not exactly a galatacio, not even an international and has a poor injury record. You do wonder how he would stand up to the atrocious nature of French rugby. There are already lots of big bruisers over there and he is not exactly going to stand out and would in all likeliehood just become a squad filler for them.

I suppose the kind of player that they really want is not going to become available this side of the WC and no bigger club is going to release a genuine international player during the season.

It all hums of a little bit of desperation to me and if BB wants to develop as a rugby player rather than just taking the immediate bucks available, he would be much better staying at Glasgow where he will get played this season a lot if he can get himself fit.

Agreed, it does seem a strange one, but from the original article it does seem to suggest that the Toulon owner (can't remember how to spell his name, and don't really want to look it up) has promised 5 signings. Which I think ties in with your second paragraph, in that they will take someone who is available rather than waiting for the right person.

Could do with a Leinster V Edinburgh thread!

BigGee wrote:
The other good winger who is known to be SQ but never been anywhere near a squad is Josh Bassett at Wasps. Another very classy player that you can only imagine has been spoken to as well. Maybe he is holding out for an England call, which seems to be nowhere near coming, or perhaps he just does not see himself as Scottish, despite being born there. Or maybe Toonie just does not rate him!

I think you must have missed this BigGee, apologies for the source but I thought this had been widely discussed at the time?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-5004503/England-rugby-hopeful-Josh-Bassett-says-m-not-Scottish.html

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

BigGee wrote:
The other good winger who is known to be SQ but never been anywhere near a squad is Josh Bassett at Wasps. Another very classy player that you can only imagine has been spoken to as well. Maybe he is holding out for an England call, which seems to be nowhere near coming, or perhaps he just does not see himself as Scottish, despite being born there. Or maybe Toonie just does not rate him!

I think you must have missed this BigGee, apologies for the source but I thought this had been widely discussed at the time?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-5004503/England-rugby-hopeful-Josh-Bassett-says-m-not-Scottish.html

I did indeed miss that one. Shows how much we all tend to believe anything on Wikepedia I guess.

Well maybe McNicholl will change his mind and realise that it makes a lot more sense to commit to Scotland!

Can we change Brodie Retallick's Wikipedia page to say he was actually born in Castlemilk and see what happens?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Could do with a Leinster V Edinburgh thread!

As requested:
https://www.606v2.com/t67969-leinster-vs-edinburgh-22nd-sept-pro14#3735642

Hoggy out for 6-8 weeks having had ankle surgery according to Rob Robertson. Not looking good for A is or for first round of Euro ties.

Has been a costly trip down south for the Warriors!

Big blow for Hoggy. That said Jackson stepped in well for them at 15 last season when Hoggy was out, and it means Kinghorn can get a run at 15 in the AIs.

It's a shame, but could be a lot worse, I mean imagine this situation a couple of seasons ago!

Also, just to check I'm not going mad, someone on another message board is suggesting that Ben Robbins, who is doing well in Prem 1, should be part of the AI squad. Just for clarity, Ben Robbins hasn't stepped on the pitch for Edinburgh (or Glasgow) and their argument for including him is the gap isn't that big between prem 1 and international rugby.

Is it me, or is that total nonsense? It's been a whilst since i last went to a prem 1 game, but from memory the level is pretty far from international level.

Hogg ruled out of the AIs due to ankle surgery.

Time for Kinghorne to step up!

EWT Spoons wrote:Also, just to check I'm not going mad, someone on another message board is suggesting that Ben Robbins, who is doing well in Prem 1, should be part of the AI squad.  Just for clarity, Ben Robbins hasn't stepped on the pitch for Edinburgh (or Glasgow) and their argument for including him is the gap isn't that big between prem 1 and international rugby.

Is it me, or is that total nonsense?  It's been a whilst since i last went to a prem 1 game, but from memory the level is pretty far from international level.

No no, it's not just you. That person has clearly been smoking the local flora.

Cheers Bru

Prem 1 is miles off Pro 14 level never mind international level. Edinburgh or Glasgow would put a cricket score on any of the Prem 1 clubs.

No contract for John Hardie at Clermont, but he says that he is fit and ready to go, clearly still in the shop window.

Hopefully someone will take a punt on him, even on a short term contract to provide some injury cover and give him a real chance to prove his fitness. He could still feature for Scotland if he gets the chance to play.

No reaction to Hogg's injury...?

With the season in full swing there will definitely be some big clubs picking up injuries who will snap up Hardie. The only thing going against him is he is an out and out 7 so can only fulfil a specific role in a squad.

BigGee wrote:No contract for John Hardie at Clermont, but he says that he is fit and ready to go, clearly still in the shop window.

Hopefully someone will take a punt on him, even on a short term contract to provide some injury cover and give him a real chance to prove his fitness. He could still feature for Scotland if he gets the chance to play.

Glasgow or Edinburgh could use him. Sadly I think the ship has sailed for Edinburgh. Edinburgh could lose 3 back-rowers over the Six Nations (Bradbury, Barclay, Watson) and will miss Barclay until then anyway. Depends on his relationship with Cockers and whether either would swallow their pride.

Glasgow could use him as an upgrade on the bench. Leaves them with too many opensides though with Gibbens, Fusaro and Smith all fit (ATM; knock on wood). Still, exchange oft injured Brian for Hardie and the medical staff can be kept employed. He is a different level to Fusaro and Smith for the next 12 months. Does not help the big problem of a top class 6/8.

Could we convince Newcastle or Worcester to take him somehow?

RDW, Hogg's injury stings. Still, Scotland need to see Kinghorn at 15 and, if he goes down, Maitland or Jackson are decent options.

For Glasgow, we are unlikely to do much in Europe especially now we have lost our 2 top TH's for the first 4 games. We are relying on two of Rae, Nicol and McClaren against Sarries and Lyon (). We may not have 2 specialist locks available for the first couple of games the way it is going. It is more important for Hoggy to be around in January to get his fitness up and May for the playoffs.

RDW_Scotland wrote:No reaction to Hogg's injury...? 

As I said above, Jackson covered well during Hoggy's absence last season so reckon Glasgow will be fine. For Scotland Kinghorn is very capable of stepping up to play at 15.

It's not the blow it would have been a season or two ago. Don't get me wrong I think we would all rather he was fit and playing, but could have been worse. Wouldn't be so calm if we were heading into the 6 nations though.

Well if it was going to happen, for bith Glasgow and Scotland, then it is much better it happens now.

I think pretty much everyone agrees that Kinghorn getting an extended run at FB for Scotland in the AIs will be just what he needs for his development, there is no doubt it is his best position and a proper international test in that position is just what he needs. I am confident he will step up and prove himself a very able deputy.

Even for Glasgow, with the games we have coming up, it could be far worse. We have made another good start in the league already and Jacko will be good cover, he will hopefully be back for the second round of euro games, which is more likely to define that campaign for us.

As far as the Euros go, it is the loss of our props that will be more serious for us, though that might alleviate itself a bit if the Nuke makes it back in time for the Sarries game. Even if we lose that, we could still do well if we beat the Blues and can get any sort of result against Lyon in the double header (who may or may not be interested in the competition by that stage).

Injuries happen, don't they. It has not been the best of starts for Glasgow on that front, but things usually even out over a season. Better to have our bad luck now.

Warriors confirm that Hoggy had surgery yesterday, prognosis a little worse than originally thought, looking at out for 10-12 weeks, so definitely out for AIs, might just get back for second round of euro games.

Apparently there is also interest in him from Montpellier for next season as well, BVC keen to get him back into his fold it would seem. Can't really blame him. Just rumours so far though.

Not that I'd be happy to see Hoggy head to France (the Aviva Prem would be my preference if he had to leave Glasgow. Please, just... just come to Falcons, Stuart), I assume he's by far the highest-paid player in Scotland, so it would free up a tidy chunk of the player budget.

If you see these things a cycle, we have a crop of young players coming through (Stafford McDowell, Hastings, Horne Jr, Fagerson Jr, Adam Nicol, Robbie Nairn, Paddy Kelly) that could form the basis of a championship winning side in 3-4 seasons. I'd like them tied in with contracts and playing full time ASAFP.

I'm all for Hoggy moving on to a "bigger" club as from a Scotland point of veiw it does indeed free up playing spaces. I would think the fans of the unwashed wouldn't be so happy though!

Keeping Hoggy in Scotland is probably more important than just the effect he will have on Glasgow. We will get by without him over the next three months, one player, no matter how good, does not make a team.

The importance of keeping him is that he is undoubtedly the poster boy for Scottish rugby and the player who is likely to inspire the next generation and give the public imagine that rugby needs. If you were to ask the average non rugby following Scottish sports fan about the game, he is probably only one of the few players they would know about and would pique their interest in the game.

He is worth more to us than his value on the pitch. Kinghorn is likely to run him very close over the coming years in that respect but will probably never quite have the same profile.

I am sure we will try and mortgage the house to try and keep him, which may or may not be enough. It is probably going to come down to what he wants from life more than pure pounds or euros though and he is still young enough to defer that decision about moving abroad for another contract cycle if he wanted to.

I hope he stays and I don't think that decision will impact on the future of the other young Glasgow prospects that Bru mentions. Hoggy is in reality a once in a generation player that just stands out from the rest. Andy Irvine would probably have been the same in his generation had they been professional at the time, but there really have been few others for us of that stature, even when we have had decent teams.

Not sure who mentioned Zach Mercer recently, but big Jim has done a good honest interview with him


https://www.rugbypass.com/news/big-jims-big-interview-with-zach-mercer