Blues v Glasgow Warriors Sunday 21st October

Blues v Glasgow Warriors
Sunday 21st October
Cardiff Arms Park
ko 15.15

Live on BT Sport

Well this group has just got interesting.

Sarries winning away probably not so surprising but the way they had to fight for it was and they paid a heavy toll in bodies to achieve their goal. Not even close to a bonus point either.

Glasgow on the other hand, while being please at going toe to toe with the English Champs, did not take their chances and for reasons best known to themselves, decided to forsake the chance of at least taking a point from the game by kicking some pretty straightforward penalties.

Blues surprised everyone by winning getting a very good away win in France and suggesting that hey have no intentions of being the group whipping boys. Lyon may not be giving the competition their full attention, but French teams are still usually vey hard to beat at home, so fair play to the Blues for achieving that.

So here we are second game in and Glasgow are pretty much facing sudden death already. Teams don't generally come back from losing the first two group games, especially when you still have away trips to France and Sarries to come. Probably fair to say that this is a must win game for Glasgow if they see themselves progressing in the comp. If Blues can go two from two straight off the bat, then surely they will fancy their chances going forward as well!

Both teams will be used to playing on the plastic pitches so no advantages there.

Both teams have traditionally liked playing fast and loose, but Glasgow look like they are trying to bring a bit of steel and pressure into their game as well, with only somewhat mixed results so far.

Recent form would suggest a Glasgow win, they have definitely had the edge in this fixture recently, but Blues have been strong in cup competitions recently and have a knack of getting up for big games. They also have the memory of bringing down Glasgow home and away last time we met in Europe, probably against expectations as well.

It is a hard game to call!

BigGee wrote:Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors
Sunday 21st October
Cardiff Arms Park
ko 15.15

Live on BT Sport

Well this group has just got interesting.

Sarries winning away probably not so surprising but the way they had to fight for it was and they paid a heavy toll in bodies to achieve their goal. Not even close to a bonus point either.

Glasgow on the other hand, while being please at going toe to toe with the English Champs, did not take their chances and for reasons best known to themselves, decided to forsake the chance of at least taking a point from the game by kicking some pretty straightforward penalties.

Cardiff Blues surprised everyone by winning getting a very good away win in France and suggesting that hey have no intentions of being the group whipping boys. Lyon may not be giving the competition their full attention, but French teams are still usually vey hard to beat at home, so fair play to the Cardiff Blues for achieving that.

So here we are second game in and Glasgow are pretty much facing sudden death already. Teams don't generally come back from losing the first two group games, especially when you still have away trips to France and Sarries to come. Probably fair to say that this is a must win game for Glasgow if they see themselves progressing in the comp. If Cardiff Blues can go two from two straight off the bat, then surely they will fancy their chances going forward as well!

Both teams will be used to playing on the plastic pitches so no advantages there.

Both teams have traditionally liked playing fast and loose, but Glasgow look like they are trying to bring a bit of steel and pressure into their game as well, with only somewhat mixed results so far.

Recent form would suggest a Glasgow win, they have definitely had the edge in this fixture recently, but Cardiff Blues have been strong in cup competitions recently and have a knack of getting up for big games. They also have the memory of bringing down Glasgow home and away last time we met in Europe, probably against expectations as well.

It is a hard game to call!

...

Well I find it hard to argue with you here PhilBB. You've cut straight to the heart of the matter and no faffing around.

Well, MrsPip, grudgingly, drove me round to Princess Daughter's so I could watch the Sarries match. Like most women I know, she turned up three minutes before the final whistle and asked why I wasn't ready to leave.

Princess daughter and The Feckless Rogue dropped by yesterday to see how my recuperation was proceeding. "Fine" said I, "the stitches should be removed on Friday so by Sunday a drive down to Cardiff might be just what the doctor ordered. As it were."


I won't repeat what MrsPip said next as a rugby forum is no place for such intemperate language, but the gist of it was that it is not stitches but huge feccin metal staples which are giving me my Frankenstein's Monster Belly look and two nurses and a pair of pliers would leave me teary eyed and unfit for a long drive for days to come. At this point I played my trump card and reminded her that Swindon is halfway between our house and Cardiff and her brother runs a pub in Swindon where I could stop off for refreshments and he could join me on the last leg. A master stroke I thought.


She very patiently pointed out the two holes in my logic.


"He's a Man United supporter and he hates rugby. But secondly, you two eejits can't stand the sight of each other. Do you really think he'll drive you to Cardiff to watch Glasgow feccin Warriors?"


I still think she's being hasty in her conclusions.


Anyhoo, if Sarries have no fewer than six players broken after Sunday's game then I think Glasgow will be "resting" a few as well.


1. Kebble  Allen
2. Turner   Bryce, Brown looked like he'll need a couple of weeks
3. Para Handy Nicol
4. BBB Oscar Peterson
5. Jonny
6. Arthur Ashe
7. Cully
8. Fagerson Batman/Fozzie It must be said that the scrum was superb on Sunday compared with how we feared it would be, so changes should be kept to a minimum. Batman looked hurt when he went off and Arthur Ashe should be fit.


9. Aldi Price/ Horne The Younger both played well, starter depends on whether price still wakes up screaming thinking of the Six Nations match this year. I know I do.
10. Hastings
11. MadMata he loves playing in Cardiff, DTH looked crocked by the end on Sunday
12.   Dunbar was an HIA so could be missing. Johnson could be fit, but probably too soon. Horne Furra Linee then.
13. Jones
14. Seymour/ Lee Jones. One starts one benches.
15. Rozza Hughes Rhuaridh Jackson to bench, covering 10&15

Despite our fears that Sarries would steamroll us we took them on in an arm wrestle and had them on the ropes for long periods. But they did what the best teams do: they won. This weekend I think we'll need to go back to what we do best and play expansive rugby at pace.

If Glasgow win and Sarries beat Lyon we have two matches against a disinterested French side. If Cardiff lose they then have a double header against one of the toughest sides in Europe. Whoever loses on Sunday faces an almost impossible task.

This post may have achieved peak Jimbo, I absolutely loved it
Some of your finest work, don’t ever change!

Finally. An OmniJimbo Post. Epic.

Llama, GC

The above nonsense was just to allow me time to cogitate upon Sunday's performance. performance-not result

I think that bluff, honest easy going Dave is perhaps a shade more Machiavellian than he may at first appear. The elephant which sits in the corner of every interview has been the way Glasgow were manshamed every time it mattered last season. (Whether this is true or not is irrelevant; people believe it is true).
So, he prepares a team to play the Sarries juggernaut.
"No point taking them on in the forwards, Dave, they'll murder us. " Was the cry from those of us who know everything.

However, if we played it fast and loose and tried to run them off the park but still lost.....then that elephant gets fed again and the self belief evaporates. Our whole season is thrown into question: wins are devalued because they were against "lesser" sides and we're all just waiting for the big boys to come and piss on our sandwiches.

But look what he did: he sent a team out to batter the bullies, they went 80 minutes with rugby's answer to a Don Revie Leeds United and had them on the ropes. We had the better of the scrum. Jamie George was saying midweek how the England players were looking forward to getting hold of Batman and settling scores after the tunnel incident at Murrayfield. Jamie George now has a Bat shaped break in his nose courtesy of Ryan Wilson (allegedly). Yes, we lost the match but the team will be walking around like a pack of junkyard dogs who just chased off the rent man.


DR's criticism of the team was, they could have won if they had been smarter. I think they played the way DR prepared them to play. He was more concerned with destroying the myth of us as flat track bullies than anything else. The pack will be feeling that they can stand toe to toe with anyone now and the elephant is diminishing by the second.


If we can put out a strong side this weekend I think we can beat the Blues. I think Sarries should beat Lyon and end their interest in the tournament, which means if we beat Lyon home and away (very possible given the French habit of playing reserves in dead rubbers) then we have every chance of qualifying from this group.

For what it's worth I think we'll blow Cardiff away on Sunday.

Can't tell if Jimbo is on or off the meds but that's two cracking posts in a row. Excellent summary of the Sarries game and a good idea to post it here as the other thread seems to have been hijacked by seemingly grumpy folks who don't get the particular brand of irreverent humour that populates the Scottish threads.

I think we may well beat the Blues (that sounds like a song!) but I am not so sure about blowing them away. I will be very interested in seeing the team, as surely we took a few casualties as well as Sarries in what was an absolute bruiser of a game.

Blues have got their tails up. If we go down there with anything other than the same attitude that we showed on sunday, then I think we will lose.

Last time we played them in Europe and put in one of our chuck it about and hope kind of performances, we got done over home and away! I hope they remember that.

jimbopip wrote:Llama, GC


For what it's worth I think we'll blow Cardiff away on Sunday.

I get a feeling it will be close. Away from home for Glasgow - are you really confident of blowing Blues away?! Saying that, it could be because I’m a Dragons fan and I’m never, ever confident of even winning away from home, let alone blowing a team away!

Oops, cross posted with BigGee. But yes, agree.

There was an occasion a few years back when the Blues did the double over us was there not? This game is not remotely a gimme and should not be considered as such. I'd like to see Matawalu play as I feel having "spark" players in imperative to the way Glasgow and Scotland play. In other words payers who can start something from nothing. At full strength last year Glasgow had Price/ Horne, Russell, Huw Jones and Hogg who could all spark something from nowhere, to a lesser extent Seymour as well. On Saturday that was reduced to Price, Hastings (who has performed admirably, in general, this year but was found wanting on Sunday at points) and Jones. As such the backline moves look relatively pedestrian and in their 22 we gave a half-decent impression of the Dan Parks era Scotland team in terms of opportunity:try ratios.

Matawalu may be a nightmare but he's also completely insane. Throw him and his unpredictability in the mix and suddenly you have a bit more space for Jones and Hastings. Hopefully we'll see Seymour and Horne in the mix, I don't think Dunbar has done much since he returned from injury unfortunately and I think Horne offers much more apart from his propensity to produce inexplicable moments (think botched 2 on 1 vs England, or interception vs Ireland). Ideally, I'd keep the forwards as they are and I think we'll be fine if we're on our game.

Blues have been a bit of a paradox this year, losing games they should be winning and vice versa. They duffed up Munster good and proper but lost to Zebre and with a big lead to boot. No-one really saw the Lyon result coming though, especially Lyon, who may not have realised just what success in European rugby involves.

Can they back up two performances like that is the question?

They often say that the side that needs to win will beat the side that just wants to.

Glasgow definitely need to win this one, lets hope that works for them.

I don't think Cardiff beating Lyon came as a surprise to many in Wales when considering; they're a team packed full of good players, Lyons first time in the competition (newbie's are usually whipping boys), Cardiff's back-row options.
A must win for Cardiff though if they hope to progress. Lyon will give up after getting smashed by Sarries, and Glasgow might do too if they lose their opening two/three games - points up for grabs...

According to an interview with DR, Sam Johnson is fit again and will come back into the team if Dunbar does not make it back from his HIA.

That is good news for Glasgow and Scotland, he is SQ now and could be a bolter for the AI squad.

Glasgow's back row will need to be fast to shut down Anscombe who had a monster game against the French. Thankfully, they have the ability to do just that.

Honestly couldn't pick a winner. I think that if Glasgow can get momentum they will drive on through for a win but it could be late in the second half (if ever) that it may happen.

One bonus for Glasgow is that Rory Thornton is playing.

Very evenly matched teams, with Cardiff looking dangerous - is this a 'breakthrough' season for Anscombe? Looks to be finally fulfilling his hype/promise.

EST wrote:Very evenly matched teams, with Cardiff looking dangerous - is this a 'breakthrough' season for Anscombe? Looks to be finally fulfilling his hype/promise.

Not really. He just has a functioning pelvis now, so you're seeing more often what he could only show in short bursts previously.

jimbopip wrote:Llama, GC

Yes, we lost the match but the team will be walking around like a pack of junkyard dogs who just chased off the rent man.

If we can put out a strong side this weekend I think we can beat the Blues.

For what it's worth I think we'll blow Cardiff away on Sunday.

I don't like quoting myself, but more than that I hate to be disrespectful to other posters on here. So, I'll attempt to clarify.

If Glasgow put out their strongest 15 they can beat anyone. But a number of teams in the Pro14 can say the same, most teams in the Heino can say the same.

The Glasgow forwards to a man will be walking around like dogs with two cocks today, they will be looking forward to getting back on the park regardless of who they are playing.


Cardiff did really well in Lyon The strategy of playing three 7's worked, but almost came unstuck. Will their luck hold on Sunday?

My memory, hazy at best, is that MadMata has beaten Cardiff almost single handedly a couple of times recently; by which I mean, in coachingspeak, he was the single point of difference between the teams. I think he could start at 15 and be the difference again.


I really wish I was allowed out to play on Sunday. Cardiff is a good town to watch a game in.

WE ARE WARRIORS.

mikey_dragon wrote:I don't think Cardiff beating Lyon came as a surprise to many in Wales

Lyon are third in the Top14. They had beaten Racing in Paris the week before. They'd beaten Montpellier 55-13 at home already this season. They were huge favourites with the bookies.

Yep, I was surprised to be honest. Not so much if it had been in Cardiff, but away to a good French side was a (nice) surprise. Thought an LBP might have been a good return for the Blues.

PhilBB wrote:

EST wrote:Very evenly matched teams, with Cardiff looking dangerous - is this a 'breakthrough' season for Anscombe? Looks to be finally fulfilling his hype/promise.

Not really. He just has a functioning pelvis now, so you're seeing more often what he could only show in short bursts previously.

Good for him and Wales then - he must be up there for first choice 10 for the AI's?

EST wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

EST wrote:Very evenly matched teams, with Cardiff looking dangerous - is this a 'breakthrough' season for Anscombe? Looks to be finally fulfilling his hype/promise.

Not really. He just has a functioning pelvis now, so you're seeing more often what he could only show in short bursts previously.

Good for him and Wales then - he must be up there for first choice 10 for the AI's?  

I remember him moving to 10 from FB to replace (I think) Patchell against England in the last 6N. I was very nervous about that but Anscombe was excellent and completely changed our shape. He cut through with some lovely breaks and set up a few try scoring opportunities. We had chances to win the game twice in the last ten mins or so but just missed out on scoring. Changed my opinion of him massively. So yes, I think he's a great option for Wales as someone who can play both 10 and 15.

The Oracle wrote:

EST wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

EST wrote:Very evenly matched teams, with Cardiff looking dangerous - is this a 'breakthrough' season for Anscombe? Looks to be finally fulfilling his hype/promise.

Not really. He just has a functioning pelvis now, so you're seeing more often what he could only show in short bursts previously.

Good for him and Wales then - he must be up there for first choice 10 for the AI's?  

I remember him moving to 10 from FB to replace (I think) Patchell against England in the last 6N.  I was very nervous about that but Anscombe was excellent and completely changed our shape.  He cut through with some lovely breaks and set up a few try scoring opportunities.   We had chances to win the game twice in the last ten mins or so but just missed out on scoring.  Changed my opinion of him massively.  So yes, I think he's a great option for Wales as someone who can play both 10 and 15.

How is Priestland playing? Doesn't help him that Bath aren't looking too smart at the moment.

Similarly I haven't seen any Saints hightlights so I don't know how Biggar is faring.

Saints are pants and Biggar isn't doing much to change that unfortunately.

Hes a different animal at Test level though I wouldn't start him.

One bonus (but God knows for which side) is that the referee is Luke Pearce, who was born in Pontypool.

PhilBB wrote:One bonus (but God knows for which side) is that the referee is Luke Pearce, who was born in Pontypool.

At least the crowd will be huge then.

'pool, not 'pridd

PhilBB wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I don't think Cardiff beating Lyon came as a surprise to many in Wales

Lyon are third in the Top14. They had beaten Racing in Paris the week before. They'd beaten Montpellier 55-13 at home already this season. They were huge favourites with the bookies.

Wasn't aware of that. I'm not taking any gloss of what Cardiff did. History tells us that Anglo-French teams new to the European cup don't fare very well, at least for a couple seasons. I can't think of many teams with superior back-row options to Cardiff either - Navidi and Jenkins are among the best at what they do, and then there's Nick Williams to return at some point...

EST wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

EST wrote:Very evenly matched teams, with Cardiff looking dangerous - is this a 'breakthrough' season for Anscombe? Looks to be finally fulfilling his hype/promise.

Not really. He just has a functioning pelvis now, so you're seeing more often what he could only show in short bursts previously.

Good for him and Wales then - he must be up there for first choice 10 for the AI's?

I don't think we're sure. We aren't seeing much of Biggar, Patchell recently concussed and not featuring in Europe, Anscombe playing at 15 quite often; all are good options however. Owen Williams slipped away and Priestland unable to cut the mustard. Next youngsters in line are Dan Jones and Jarrod Evans - both look very good but I'd prefer a smoother transition this time.

Sam Johnson will play his first game of the season this Sunday, starting against Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Champions Cup.Sam Johnson returns to the Glasgow Warriors midfield

The centre, who was injured in the Warriors’ pre-season game against Northampton Saints, comes straight into the starting XV fresh from being named in Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad for the 2018 Autumn Tests.

Johnson is joined in midfield by Huw Jones, and they both start outside of the same half-back pairing that played against Saracens at Scotsotun last Sunday.

DTH van der Merwe and Lee Jones start on the wings again and Tommy Seymour returns to the staring XV at full-back.

Dave Rennie has named an unchanged starting forward pack following their physical display against the English Champions.

On the bench, Scott Cummings returns to the matchday squad to cover the second-row and Niko Matawalu will look to add his spark to the game when he comes on.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie said: “Sam (Johnson) was excellent for us last year and has worked hard to recover from an injury he picked up in pre-season.

“He’s got a really good skillset and communicates well and he’s excited to get back out there.

“We were happy with our physicality and the effort we saw against Saracens and we’ll need to be just as aggressive against Cardiff who picked up a good win in France in Round 1.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Champions Cup at Cardiff Arms Park, Sunday 21 October, kick off 3.15pm - live on BT Sport 3. You can follow the game on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors. Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:

1. Oli Kebble (15)
2. Fraser Brown (81)
3. D’Arcy Rae (46)
4. Rob Harley (190)
5. Jonny Gray (92)
6. Ryan Wilson (145) (CC)
7. Callum Gibbins (21) (CC)
8. Matt Fagerson (31)

9. Ali Price (62)
10. Adam Hastings (16)
11. DTH can der Merwe (106)
12. Sam Johnson (40)
13. Huw Jones (12)
14. Lee Jones (79)
15. Tommy Seymour (119)

Replacements

16. George Turner (26)
17. Alex Allan (80)
18. Petrus du Plessis (1)
19. Scott Cummings (42)
20. Chris Fusaro (148)
21. George Horne (26)
22. Pete Horne (144)
23. Niko Matawalu (96)

Not available due to injury: Alex Dunbar (head), Zander Fagerson (ankle), Siua Halanukanuka (foot), Stuart Hogg (ankle), Kiran McDonald (hand) and Tim Swinson (lower limb).

In my opinion, that is probably a stronger team than we had out last weekend. I don't think we lose anything with Johnson coming in for Dunbar at 12 and the way Jacko has been playing this season, Tommy Seymour is going to be an improvement, he will run the ball back at them with a lot more conviction from FB.

The bench is improved as well with Cummings and Niko to come on later in the game if one of the second rows is starting to tire, or we need to inject a little bit of mayhem into the proceedings.

No complaints about the selection, they just need to go out and do the job!

Both teams need to be looking at TBP win. Realiscally Sarries will top the group with 6 wins. That leaves both teams looking to get to 20pts from four games so 9-10 off Lyon and 9-10 off each other. Otherwise it will be crabs in a buck pulling each other down and neither qualifying.

I think Glasgow should win but thought the same a few years ago when the Blues won both legs. The backrow is most compeditive in the Pro14 compared to the other two leagues so not sure the Blues backrow will have it as easy this week

Brendan wrote:
I think Glasgow should win

Why?

BigGee wrote:In my opinion, that is probably a stronger team than we had out last weekend. I don't think we lose anything with Johnson coming in for Dunbar at 12 and the way Jacko has been playing this season, Tommy Seymour is going to be an improvement, he will run the ball back at them with a lot more conviction from FB.

The bench is improved as well with Cummings and Niko to come on later in the game if one of the second rows is starting to tire, or we need to inject a little bit of mayhem into the proceedings.

No complaints about the selection, they just need to go out and do the job!

I agree BigGee, a lot of our play involves getting Hogg into space, so having a player with more attacking threat in that position is important. Johnson is a class player, I just hope he is up to speed.

I have also been really impressed with Rob Harley in the boiler room this season, do we think this is now his long term position? He has never really had the pace to be a top line 6, but he looks to have bulked out a bit and is playing really well in the row.

I can't really call this game, both very evenly matched teams - home advantage might give the blues a slight advantage.

I agree that RH will be playing second row a lot from here on in his career. He can still switch to BS but he lacks the pace and explosiveness of the best back rowers these days. He does however have an amazing workrate and will just go on and on, as does JG. The two of them could play 80 mins no bother at all.

Maybe not as huge as the top world class second rows but I have stood next to him and he was a big bloke who toward over me and I am not small! If he has put on a few kilos, then he will be there or there abouts.

I think to prolong his career it will be a good move for him and there may still be some international caps there, where there won't be in the back row.

Cardiff Blues have made four changes ahead of Sunday's Heineken Champions Cup clash against Glasgow Warriors' at Cardiff Arms Park (KO 3.15pm)











Europe's premier club competition makes a long-awaited return to the Welsh capital, as John Mulvihill's side look to build upon last week's stunning victory over Lyon at Matmut Stadium de Gerland.

Nick Williams is recalled to the number eight shirt and links up with Olly Robinson and Ellis Jenkins in the back row, replacing the injured Josh Navidi.

The only other change amongst the pack sees George Earle return to partner Josh Turnbull in the second-row.

In the backline, Rey Lee-Lo is reunited with Willis Halaholo in midfield. The Samoan is Cardiff Blues' joint top try scorer this season, alongside Robinson and Tomos Williams.

Aled Summerhill is called up from the bench to take the place of Owen Lane, who was ruled out of the Wales squad after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Following last week's heroics in France, Mulvihill is determined to claim a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions and their eighth in Europe.

It is the first time Champions Cup rugby has been played in Cardiff since 2014 and the Australian head coach is hoping for a red hot atmosphere in the Welsh capital.

Mulvihill said: "Last week's performance was superb and we were deserving of what was a really good win to kick-off the competition.

"It was a hugely physical game and it came at a cost with a few boys injured but with the strength in depth we are developing in the squad we have quality players to come in.

"After beating Lyon and getting that win on the road, it is vitally important that we back it up at home and it promises to be an awesome occasion at the Arms Park.

"It means a huge amount to us to be back in the Champions Cup and it will be the first game at the Arms Park in this competition for a number of years. I'm sure it will be bouncing in Cardiff.

"Glasgow are quality opposition, one of the most consistent teams in the PRO14 and we will need to be firing on all cylinders."

The starting line-up on Sunday also contains the four players who were called up to Wales' squad for the autumn internationals - Dillon Lewis, scrum-half Williams, captain Jenkins and last week's man of the match, Gareth Anscombe.

Cardiff Blues: Gareth Anscombe; Aled Summerhill, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Jason Harries; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Gill, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, George Earle, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Ellis Jenkins (capt), Nick Williams

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Brad Thyer, Scott Andrews, Rory Thornton, Samu Manoa, Lloyd Williams, Garyn Smith, Matthew Morgan

A few changes for the Blues, Navidi out, so not playing three 7's this time around. They will miss him, a very good player. Our old friend Nick Williams comes in instead to provide a more direct option!

Still looks a pretty decent team!

PhilBB wrote:Not really. He just has a functioning pelvis now, so you're seeing more often what he could only show in short bursts previously.

Oooh errr, missus.

Looking forward to watching this on Sunday. Navidi is a huge loss for us but Robinson is playing brilliantly and with Jenkins and Williams we will have the edge in the back row as long as Williams can stay on the pitch. We haven't seen enough of Samu Manoa yet to know if he will be able to have any major impact when he comes on.

Glasgow are probably going to have an advantage in the scrum although with Earle back there should be enough weight behind Dillon Lewis to help him keep his feet on the ground, some of his aerial performances in the scrum against Lyon looked like they belonged in a gymnastics squad … still he seems to be developing a Gethin Jenkins skillset as a prop who does just ok in the scrum but is brilliant at winning turnovers, hopefully he will continue to be able to do that as his scrummaging improves.

it will be close but if Anscombe and Evans continue to interact well together then they will unlock Glasgows defence. I expect a high scoring match …

Is that Andy Robinson's son in the back row for Blues?

It is indeed, been doing very well by all accounts

PhilBB wrote:

Brendan wrote:
I think Glasgow should win

Why?

Glasgow held their own against one of the most dominatant packs in Europe and were unlucky with a few calls. In contrast Blues played a team whose first experience it was in the champions cup. Blues backrow is nothing special compared to Glasgow and I think Glasgow will have the advantage at the breakdown. Add in that DR knows what the Blues bring and this year seems to be more clued into NH rugby.

Glasgow made 150/171 88% which against Sarries is very good. Blues did make 127/147 86% it simallar yet against weaker opposition. Blues set piece seems to be weaker including their scrum.

Is that enough

BamBam wrote:It is indeed, been doing very well by all accounts

Pleased for him. Never the best player, he always gave everything he had at Bristol and deserved better treatment by them I thought.

Blues win in France did shock me, especially based on the bits I had seen of them this season.

Glasgow look to have too much quality, but home advantage could have a part to play.

Brendan wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

Brendan wrote:
I think Glasgow should win

Why?

Glasgow held their own against one of the most dominatant packs in Europe and were unlucky with a few calls.  In contrast Blues played a team whose first experience it was in the champions cup.  Blues backrow is nothing special compared to Glasgow and I think Glasgow will have the advantage at the breakdown.  Add in that DR knows what the Blues bring and this year seems to be more clued into NH rugby.

Glasgow made 150/171 88% which against Sarries is very good.  Blues did make 127/147 86% it simallar yet against weaker opposition.  Blues set piece seems to be weaker including their scrum.

Is that enough

Of course you could use a few other stats from the teams first round games to support a Blues win, for instance -

Glasgow lost at home Blues won away against the highest ranked Top 14 club in the Champions Cup
Glasgow scored 3 points(3 points at home and you think that's respectable ) and the Blues scored 30 points

With those stats there only seems one winner tomorrow

Newsilure wrote:

Brendan wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

Brendan wrote:
I think Glasgow should win

Why?

Glasgow held their own against one of the most dominatant packs in Europe and were unlucky with a few calls.  In contrast Blues played a team whose first experience it was in the champions cup.  Blues backrow is nothing special compared to Glasgow and I think Glasgow will have the advantage at the breakdown.  Add in that DR knows what the Blues bring and this year seems to be more clued into NH rugby.

Glasgow made 150/171 88% which against Sarries is very good.  Blues did make 127/147 86% it simallar yet against weaker opposition.  Blues set piece seems to be weaker including their scrum.

Is that enough

Of course you could use a few other stats from the teams first round games to support a Blues win, for instance -

Glasgow lost at home Blues won away against the highest ranked Top 14 club in the Champions Cup
Glasgow scored 3 points(3 points at home and you think that's respectable ) and the Blues scored 30 points

With those stats there only seems one winner tomorrow

As Exeter showed today the Champions Cup is different to domestic, teams generally fail their first few seasons because it is a difficult tournament to manage. Teams like Scarlets have gone from Semi-finalist to most likely out after just two games. Glasgow played the second best team and got a very respectable score. Blues played novices who have no idea what's happening. We will have to see but the Blues don't seem to have the smarts to back up last week, if both teams play like last week Glasgow will be to strong.

Sitting in the sunshine in Sophia Gdns, Cardiff having some lunch before wandering down to the Arms Park for the game

Absolutely perfect day for rugby, it should be a great game

Lucky man that you are, Gee. Enjoy

Sounds great - enjoy Biggee!