Glasgow and Edinburgh 21st Century Banter

First topic message reminder :

Something is going on this year

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh are playing quite well!

Is it a dream, am I imagining it, am I going to wake up in a cold sweat and find out that we are really cr*p again?

Someone please reassure me!!

TJ wrote:LOng term?  A 24 team pro 24 with two divisions with promotion and relegation.  That would allow a 3rd or even 4th Scottish team to be built from the ground up rather than trying to create a professional team from scratch in one year

Short term?  Expand the current pro-team squads and get the 'B' teams into the Pro14 B League (or whatever it is called).  Only additional expense would be salaries and player-related costs.  No new infrastructure required.   Might even be able to take some of these games 'on the road' as you wouldn't have capacity / facility issues you have with the big teams / internationals.

BigGee wrote:They seem to be throwing all their weight and money at the Super 6 in an attempt to improve domestic rugby atm.

Let's hope that is successful and can maybe expanded a little bit in the future as well. It is probably worth noting that they could not get a franchise going in Aberdeen, or anywhere north of Stirling, despite a desire to make it country wide, which is an indication as to how hard it would be to set up a professional team up in the north.

The chances of this happening are very remote, but the super 6 is likely to be our best route to a 3rd team.  Before I go on, I am 100% on board the good ship "a 3rd team's not happening", but if, for example, Stirling do really well in the S6, getting crowds in, success etc, then they could in theory become a 3rd pro team if the fan base and structure is already there.  However, it's really only Stirling and Melrose that this could apply to.

With that said we've seen how successful a pro team in the boarders is, so realistically that could be ruled out as well, unless folk suddenly give up their club allegiances and support Melrose....so possibly just Stirling then.

I guess my point is that it's very difficult to set up a pro team from scratch, given the costs involved and that they are likely to be beaten fairly frequently (new team trying to gel) so fans are unlikely to be keen to go along.  However if the team is almost professional in it's set up, it has a few pro players who could step up/be squad players, and a fan base already there, then that is far more attractive, than starting new.

However, won't happen any time soon, if at all.

Gents, how have we gone from talking about Anne Lundon to bringing up the dirge that is "the 3rd pro team"???

A few points to consider.

1. We had a 3rd pro team and it died due to lack of support (the borderers couldn't put thier inter town fighting to one side)

2. All  of the players we had out against Ireland and France are regular players for Glasgow and Edinburgh or the clubs they play for else where. We didnt run out of players, we ran out of first choice players. Having a 3rd team just means that when we run out of first choice players, we'd pick the second choice players and then there's another tier of third choice players beyond them.

Say for example, if we had to pick Duncan Weir, we'd be having to pick Duncan Weir. it doesnt matter if meatball is playing for Worcester or a new Stirling team, we're still having to pick Duncan Weir.

And for the avoidance of doubt, one of the most knickers players last week as Tommy Seymour. We already have Darcy Graham lined up to replace Seymour next week, what odds would it make if we also then had Byron McGuigan lined up to play if Darcy has a stinker if Byron played at Stirling or any other club???

3. We're still pretty skint, so financing a 3rd team is pie in the sky stuff.

One thing I would have liked to have seen with the Super 6 would have been a closer collaboration with the Universities. The University Super Rugby that Durham, Bath etc. all play in is a pretty decent standard and has started producing pro players like Alex Dombrandt down at Quins. Edinburgh Uni play in the level below, Stirling, Strathclyde and Glasgow two levels below and St Andrews were at that level until last year. A bit of investment could boost these teams up a level or two and provide, in effect, an academy for the Super 6 teams. It also means that any player that comes through would be Scottish qualified as a degree course is four years here. And has the added bonus that players would have a fall back if pro rugby doesn't work out for them.

123456789. wrote:One thing I would have liked to have seen with the Super 6 would have been a closer collaboration with the Universities. The University Super Rugby that Durham, Bath etc. all play in is a pretty decent standard and has started producing pro players like Alex Dombrandt down at Quins. Edinburgh Uni play in the level below, Stirling, Strathclyde and Glasgow two levels below and St Andrews were at that level until last year. A bit of investment could boost these teams up a level or two and provide, in effect, an academy for the Super 6 teams. It also means that any player that comes through would be Scottish qualified as a degree course is four years here. And has the added bonus that players would have a fall back if pro rugby doesn't work out for them.

Nice in Theory, and I'm all for education and ensuring players have a fall back. The issue here though is you risk folk jeopardising their education to pursue a career in pro rugby. Yes that’s the extreme outcome but it is possible.

It is however far more likely that the players in the Uni teams do not focus on rugby that much as primarily they are focusing on their degree (which would be absolutely the right thing to do)

That’s why I like the Super 6 concept. Allows Students or joiners to call centre workers the pathway to semi pro rugby but they can also work for a living. If the rugby is working for them, they look to go full pro, if its not, stay semi pro, or go back to amateur rugby

In here in our safe space What are we thinking about the developments in Wales? Clearly there is a problem with the regions as it lies as all four are frankly dogsh*t and for all the cries of end of Welsh rugby, if nothing is done soon games vs welsh opposition will continue to be 5 point wins for Glasgow Warriors and narrow last minute catastrophic defeats for Scotland’s second team, Luvvie Rugby.

A combined Scarlets Ospreys XV would be a pretty damn good team if you ask me.

Nothing about Welsh club rugby is ever simple.

Multiply the problems with the borders by about 100 and you might be getting close!

Who knows what the answers are, no one in Wales seems to.

It is not good for our league to have poorly performing Welsh sides in it though, so hopefully they will sort it out and comitt to it. At the end of the day their international team will eventually suffer if they don't get their base right. It is no accident that Scotland improved once we did.

Eejit wrote:In here in our safe space What are we thinking about the developments in Wales? Clearly there is a problem with the regions as it lies as all four are frankly dogsh*t and for all the cries of end of Welsh rugby, if nothing is done soon games vs welsh opposition will continue to be 5 point wins for Glasgow Warriors and narrow last minute catastrophic defeats for Scotland’s second team, Luvvie Rugby.

A combined Scarlets Ospreys XV would be a pretty damn good team if you ask me.

You won't get a combined Spreylettes team: you'll get a brand new team that no-one will want. :
What will the RFU do with the two stadiums? If they decide to play home matches at the Liberty then Scarlets' fans will feel their team has been sacrificed, the memory of Ray Gravell has been discarded and the journey to Swansea will be just too far.
If they play in Llanelli then the O's fans will have an almost identical set of complaints.
Certainly if the SRU decided to merge the Rugby Team and the Knitwear Models XV into a Super-Region and play their home matches at Murrayfield I couldn't see Schiz buying a season ticket. Similarly FES wouldn't be queuing up for his ; Scrofula, Scabies and Socialism vaccinations before travelling to the wild west if matches were played at The Home Of The Once And Future Champions.

Also, there is the stereotype of the Welsh as a cunning, conniving, clannish, grudge-bearing, Machiavellian, parochial  people. It is a stereotype but....

So, no. I can't see this as working too well.

The only comparison I can draw from the current debacle is that of the old police divisions here being merged together to form Police Scotland

And well, need I say more....................

Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

jimbopip wrote:Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

Put it this way jimbo, if you want to report an intruder in your house and for the police to attend to the matter, you need to book this a fortnight in advance so you need to arrnage with your neighbourhood burglar to schedule the break in at a date and time conveinant for both you and Police Scotland.

However, if you want your Police cars to also be painted with "Poileas" on them, then do not worry as this is an absolute priority for them!

Cammy Fenton signs a 1 year deal with Edinburgh - he looked good last season before he was injured for ages so hopefully he gets more gametime. I don't see Ford being at Edinburgh next season, unless they want his experience during the WC period.

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

Put it this way jimbo, if you want to report an intruder in your house and for the police to attend to the matter, you need to book this a fortnight in advance so you need to arrnage with your neighbourhood burglar to schedule the break in at a date and time conveinant for both you and Police Scotland.

However, if you want your Police cars to also be painted with "Poileas" on them, then do not worry as this is an absolute priority for them!

I was in Haverhill one day and was looking at the rugby club's free newssheet; their TH prop had posted a letter where he recounted that the previous weekend he had called the local constabulary in the wee hours to report burglars in his garden shed. "We can't be there in less than 45 minutes" was the reply. He hung up and called them back in 5 minutes. "Those burglars? In my shed? Don't rush yourseves, I remembered my shotgun was in the cupboard, so I shot the pair of them. Bye". Three minutes pater two squad cars and a helicopter arrived. The burglars gave themselves up and the officer in charge said, " I thought you said you had shot them!"

"I thought you said you would be 45 minutes !" was the reply.

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

Put it this way jimbo, if you want to report an intruder in your house and for the police to attend to the matter, you need to book this a fortnight in advance so you need to arrnage with your neighbourhood burglar to schedule the break in at a date and time conveinant for both you and Police Scotland.

However, if you want your Police cars to also be painted with "Poileas" on them, then do not worry as this is an absolute priority for them!

I was in Haverhill one day and was looking at the rugby club's free newssheet; their TH prop had posted a letter where he recounted that the previous weekend he had called the local constabulary in the wee hours to report burglars in his garden shed. "We can't be there in less than 45 minutes" was the reply. He hung up and called them back in 5 minutes. "Those burglars? In my shed? Don't rush yourseves, I remembered my shotgun was in the cupboard, so I shot the pair of them. Bye". Three minutes pater two squad cars and a helicopter arrived. The burglars gave themselves up and the officer in charge said, " I thought you said you had shot them!"

"I thought you said you would be 45 minutes !" was the reply.

It's a sad state of affairs Jimbo that the above could either be a joke or could indeed be factually accurate.

I'm a huge lump of a guy but for some inexplicable reason, I make absolutely no noise when I walk, I'm like a cat stalking it's prey. Anyway, I've seen dodgy guys trying the doors of the houses in my street when I've been getting home late, I've then called the old Polis (or Poileas to give them their politically correct name) and they said not to approach the ned and they'd get someone round "as soon as they can". I then stayed up to wait for the police coming. Over an hour it took for them to show. They knocked on my door and actually said "which way did he go". How the hell do I know which way he went after an hour of trying doors in neighbouring streets! He could be anywhere.

Next time I'm just going to knock the ned out and then call him an ambulance as they turn up quicker!

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

Put it this way jimbo, if you want to report an intruder in your house and for the police to attend to the matter, you need to book this a fortnight in advance so you need to arrnage with your neighbourhood burglar to schedule the break in at a date and time conveinant for both you and Police Scotland.

However, if you want your Police cars to also be painted with "Poileas" on them, then do not worry as this is an absolute priority for them!

I was in Haverhill one day and was looking at the rugby club's free newssheet; their TH prop had posted a letter where he recounted that the previous weekend he had called the local constabulary in the wee hours to report burglars in his garden shed. "We can't be there in less than 45 minutes" was the reply. He hung up and called them back in 5 minutes. "Those burglars? In my shed? Don't rush yourseves, I remembered my shotgun was in the cupboard, so I shot the pair of them. Bye". Three minutes pater two squad cars and a helicopter arrived. The burglars gave themselves up and the officer in charge said, " I thought you said you had shot them!"

"I thought you said you would be 45 minutes !" was the reply.

That joke's as old as you are Jimbo!

RDW wrote:Cammy Fenton signs a 1 year deal with Edinburgh - he looked good last season before he was injured for ages so hopefully he gets more gametime. I don't see Ford being at Edinburgh next season, unless they want his experience during the WC period.

Glad Fenton's signed up for another year. As you say he looked like he was a capable player before his injuries.

Scrum magazine is still linking us with the South African lad as well, so if he comes in, and we have Rambo, Cherry and Fenton, then I would imagine Ford will be on his way

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

Put it this way jimbo, if you want to report an intruder in your house and for the police to attend to the matter, you need to book this a fortnight in advance so you need to arrnage with your neighbourhood burglar to schedule the break in at a date and time conveinant for both you and Police Scotland.

However, if you want your Police cars to also be painted with "Poileas" on them, then do not worry as this is an absolute priority for them!

I was in Haverhill one day and was looking at the rugby club's free newssheet; their TH prop had posted a letter where he recounted that the previous weekend he had called the local constabulary in the wee hours to report burglars in his garden shed. "We can't be there in less than 45 minutes" was the reply. He hung up and called them back in 5 minutes. "Those burglars? In my shed? Don't rush yourseves, I remembered my shotgun was in the cupboard, so I shot the pair of them. Bye". Three minutes pater two squad cars and a helicopter arrived. The burglars gave themselves up and the officer in charge said, " I thought you said you had shot them!"

"I thought you said you would be 45 minutes !" was the reply.

It's a sad state of affairs Jimbo that the above could either be a joke or could indeed be factually accurate.

I'm a huge lump of a guy but for some inexplicable reason, I make absolutely no noise when I walk, I'm like a cat stalking it's prey. Anyway, I've seen dodgy guys trying the doors of the houses in my street when I've been getting home late, I've then called the old Polis (or Poileas to give them their politically correct name) and they said not to approach the ned and they'd get someone round "as soon as they can". I then stayed up to wait for the police coming. Over an hour it took for them to show. They knocked on my door and actually said "which way did he go". How the hell do I know which way he went after an hour of trying doors in neighbouring streets! He could be anywhere.

Next time I'm just going to knock the ned out and then call him an ambulance as they turn up quicker!

We live in a country where the national anthem was written by one half of a frankly awful folk band, the Corries. The fact that so much time and money is being spent attempting to revive a dead language does not surprise me one bit.

Eejit wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

Put it this way jimbo, if you want to report an intruder in your house and for the police to attend to the matter, you need to book this a fortnight in advance so you need to arrnage with your neighbourhood burglar to schedule the break in at a date and time conveinant for both you and Police Scotland.

However, if you want your Police cars to also be painted with "Poileas" on them, then do not worry as this is an absolute priority for them!

I was in Haverhill one day and was looking at the rugby club's free newssheet; their TH prop had posted a letter where he recounted that the previous weekend he had called the local constabulary in the wee hours to report burglars in his garden shed. "We can't be there in less than 45 minutes" was the reply. He hung up and called them back in 5 minutes. "Those burglars? In my shed? Don't rush yourseves, I remembered my shotgun was in the cupboard, so I shot the pair of them. Bye". Three minutes pater two squad cars and a helicopter arrived. The burglars gave themselves up and the officer in charge said, " I thought you said you had shot them!"

"I thought you said you would be 45 minutes !" was the reply.

It's a sad state of affairs Jimbo that the above could either be a joke or could indeed be factually accurate.

I'm a huge lump of a guy but for some inexplicable reason, I make absolutely no noise when I walk, I'm like a cat stalking it's prey. Anyway, I've seen dodgy guys trying the doors of the houses in my street when I've been getting home late, I've then called the old Polis (or Poileas to give them their politically correct name) and they said not to approach the ned and they'd get someone round "as soon as they can". I then stayed up to wait for the police coming. Over an hour it took for them to show. They knocked on my door and actually said "which way did he go". How the hell do I know which way he went after an hour of trying doors in neighbouring streets! He could be anywhere.

Next time I'm just going to knock the ned out and then call him an ambulance as they turn up quicker!

We live in a country where the national anthem was written by one half of a frankly awful folk band, the Corries. The fact that so much time and money is being spent attempting to revive a dead language does not surprise me one bit.

It is what the Welsh have done. My GF speaks and got taught in Welsh for several subjects. She is much better in the subjects taught in English.

Fascinating to see what happens if O's and Scarlets merge. You would think they would struggle to attract the top talent to North Wales and some of the NWQ guys might shake loose. Someone relatively big could also end up getting lost in the shuffle. Can't imagine guys like AWJ and Owens want to move to Wrexham or go to their rivals at age 33-34 after playing in what is likely their last World Cup, especially if a French or English team offers them a wedge

Hazel Sapling wrote:

Eejit wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Not biding north of the wall, I am not au fait with the latest policing statistics: are bams from Dundee refusing to create havoc in Auchtermuchty because they want banged up by Tayside Police like their forefathers before them?

Put it this way jimbo, if you want to report an intruder in your house and for the police to attend to the matter, you need to book this a fortnight in advance so you need to arrnage with your neighbourhood burglar to schedule the break in at a date and time conveinant for both you and Police Scotland.

However, if you want your Police cars to also be painted with "Poileas" on them, then do not worry as this is an absolute priority for them!

I was in Haverhill one day and was looking at the rugby club's free newssheet; their TH prop had posted a letter where he recounted that the previous weekend he had called the local constabulary in the wee hours to report burglars in his garden shed. "We can't be there in less than 45 minutes" was the reply. He hung up and called them back in 5 minutes. "Those burglars? In my shed? Don't rush yourseves, I remembered my shotgun was in the cupboard, so I shot the pair of them. Bye". Three minutes pater two squad cars and a helicopter arrived. The burglars gave themselves up and the officer in charge said, " I thought you said you had shot them!"

"I thought you said you would be 45 minutes !" was the reply.

It's a sad state of affairs Jimbo that the above could either be a joke or could indeed be factually accurate.

I'm a huge lump of a guy but for some inexplicable reason, I make absolutely no noise when I walk, I'm like a cat stalking it's prey. Anyway, I've seen dodgy guys trying the doors of the houses in my street when I've been getting home late, I've then called the old Polis (or Poileas to give them their politically correct name) and they said not to approach the ned and they'd get someone round "as soon as they can". I then stayed up to wait for the police coming. Over an hour it took for them to show. They knocked on my door and actually said "which way did he go". How the hell do I know which way he went after an hour of trying doors in neighbouring streets! He could be anywhere.

Next time I'm just going to knock the ned out and then call him an ambulance as they turn up quicker!

We live in a country where the national anthem was written by one half of a frankly awful folk band, the Corries. The fact that so much time and money is being spent attempting to revive a dead language does not surprise me one bit.

It is what the Welsh have done. My GF speaks and got taught in Welsh for several subjects. She is much better in the subjects taught in English.

Fascinating to see what happens if O's and Scarlets merge. You would think they would struggle to attract the top talent to North Wales and some of the NWQ guys might shake loose. Someone relatively big could also end up getting lost in the shuffle. Can't imagine guys like AWJ and Owens want to move to Wrexham or go to their rivals at age 33-34 after playing in what is likely their last World Cup, especially if a French or English team offers them a wedge  

To be fair significantly more people speak Welsh in Wales than speak Gaelic in Scotland - something like 20% of welsh people compared to 1% of Scots! It's much more normalised and wide spread. Gaelic is highly concentrated in the highlands and islands too - I don't see much point in road signs and police cars being in Gaelic in Edinburgh and Glasgow and the east of Scotland when hardly anyone speaks it.

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that Hazel is saying the Welsh have "forced" the language to be used in a more widespread area. This "forcing" means some subjects taught in the Welsh Language results in students achieving lower grades as they are not only having to focus on the subject matter, but focusing on the Welsh language part also.

I'd love it if Gaelic was a more popularly spoken language. I myself would love to speak it, even if it meant it was only to let me chat up Anne Lundon, but Gaelic is simply too little used these days for it to be viable.

tigertattie wrote:

I'd love it if Gaelic was a more popularly spoken language. I myself would love to speak it, even if it meant it was only to let me chat up Anne Lundon, but soap and water is simply too little used these days for it to be viable.

Fixed that for you Tiger

Also even if you were a really, really talented cunning linguist you'd still be punching above your weight.

the irony of a weegie fan saying theres not enough soap and water...........

But yes, punching well above my weight I would be

PS, you can't claim something you post yourself deserves a drumroll

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

I'd love it if Gaelic was a more popularly spoken language. I myself would love to speak it, even if it meant it was only to let me chat up Anne Lundon, but soap and water is simply too little used these days for it to be viable.

Fixed that for you Tiger

Also even if you were a really, really talented cunning linguist you'd still be punching above your weight.

Dragging the conversation away from the virtues of the Gaelic language and back towards rugby, anyone else wondering why Toonie is not taking a closer look at Rory Hutchinson, bearing in mind that we are not exactly overflowing with outside centres at the moment.

Just awarded Premiership player of the month for February. He was always a talented player but finally seems to be really breaking through.

Toonie should probably bring him into the squad before Jonesy wakes up to his talents!



https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2018-2019/rory-hutchinson-named-gallagher-premiership-rugby-player-of-the-month-for-february/

He does look a real prospect - I've been watching all the highlights this season.

We have got several tall, strong young centres all coming through at the same time!

I've only seen his highlights, but from what I have heard his defence is questionable, however I totally agree that he probably should at least be in the training squad. Unless he has asked not to be, I don't know if he's EQ but if he's tied to Scotland it could impact his appeal to his club and he might see the amount of games he gets due to the incentives the club gets for having EQ players.

Not saying he doesn't want to play for Scotland, just he might want to establish himself first, so he's harder to drop when no longer EQ.

This is all speculation though

EWT Spoons wrote:I've only seen his highlights, but from what I have heard his defence is questionable, however I totally agree that he probably should at least be in the training squad.  Unless he has asked not to be, I don't know if he's EQ but if he's tied to Scotland it could impact his appeal to his club and he might see the amount of games he gets due to the incentives the club gets for having EQ players.

Not saying he doesn't want to play for Scotland, just he might want to establish himself first, so he's harder to drop when no longer EQ.

This is all speculation though

He has played all his club rugby for years or Northampton, so I would be very surprised if he was not EQ.

He played 2 full seasons for Scotland u20s, so must have a reasonable affinity towards us!

He has only really broken through this year, seemed a bit out of favour with previous Saints coaches and was playing in the Championship. He seems to have nailed down a starting place now though in a team that are playing well. Never a bad sign!

BigGee wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:I've only seen his highlights, but from what I have heard his defence is questionable, however I totally agree that he probably should at least be in the training squad.  Unless he has asked not to be, I don't know if he's EQ but if he's tied to Scotland it could impact his appeal to his club and he might see the amount of games he gets due to the incentives the club gets for having EQ players.

Not saying he doesn't want to play for Scotland, just he might want to establish himself first, so he's harder to drop when no longer EQ.

This is all speculation though

He has played all his club rugby for years or Northampton, so I would be very surprised if he was not EQ.

He has only really broken through this year, seemed a bit out of favour with previous Saints coaches and was playing in the Championship. He seems to have nailed down a starting place now though in a team that are playing well. Never a bad sign!

I would assume so as well

I guess that's my point then, he's only just broken into the team, so rather than becoming less appealing by giving up his EQ status, he might want to be a bit more established first.

TBH there's only 6 games left before the world cup opener and there will be a lot of rotation in the warm-up games  - now's probably not the time to be trying out inexperienced youngsters when we do have other options (when they're fit!)

RDW wrote:TBH there's only 6 games left before the world cup opener and there will be a lot of rotation in the warm-up games  - now's probably not the time to be trying out inexperienced youngsters when we do have other options (when they're fit!)

... being the operative term!

We may not have a choice in the matter!

Watch Jimbo's head explode here!

I'd rather cap Hutchinson at 13 before I'd cap McDowell at 12.

Now I'm not saying he's a better player, but I'd rather leave Smiling Sam at 12 and have Hutchinson come into 13 where they all belong rather than moving Sam to 13 to let McDowell come into 12 or play McDowell out of position.

Also just read Kyle Steyn played most of his 15s rugby in the currie cup at outside centre. Could be a viable option there too.

tigertattie wrote:Watch Jimbo's head explode here!

I'd rather cap Hutchinson at 13 before I'd cap McDowell at 12.

Now I'm not saying he's a better player, but I'd rather leave Smiling Sam at 12 and have Hutchinson come into 13 where they all belong rather than moving Sam to 13 to let McDowell come into 12 or play McDowell out of position.

I think he might kill you for that.

Eejit wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Watch Jimbo's head explode here!

I'd rather cap Hutchinson at 13 before I'd cap McDowell at 12.

Now I'm not saying he's a better player, but I'd rather leave Smiling Sam at 12 and have Hutchinson come into 13 where they all belong rather than moving Sam to 13 to let McDowell come into 12 or play McDowell out of position.

I think he might kill you for that.

Possibly

But he's starting to come round to the correct way of thinking (that actually if you want scotland to do well, you need to also use Edinburgh players)

He's even agreed that Saint Jonny of Gray has been horendous recently and needs a rest/boot up the erse

BOYS,BOYS

As the Sainted Anne of Lundon has scribed upon the walls of the Ladies in Queen Margeret Drive,

" Oh Lord Stafford is a man who is comfortable in many positions"

He is a 12 in the Warriors at the moment, but that could very easily change. Post Ruaridh and post Hoggy it will be very interesting to see who goes where (as the Sainted Anne has also scribbled on the occasional wall).

Dear Jimbo and Glasgow

Please do not move Sir Safford of Walking on Water McDowell to 15.

From a Scotland viewpoint we need a decent young 12 and 13. We're fine for 15 with Hoggy still actually quite young (at least two world cups left in him) and His Blairness is coming along fine.

Moving Stafford to 15 would be internationally unwise!

tigertattie wrote:Dear Jimbo and Glasgow

Please do not move Sir Safford of Walking on Water McDowell to 15.

From a Scotland viewpoint we need a decent young 12 and 13. We're fine for 15 with Hoggy still actually quite young (at least two world cups left in him) and His Blairness is coming along fine.

Moving Stafford to 15 would be internationally unwise!

Well get someone to teach King Blarehorn to a) pass the ball sometimes b) stop bloody dropping it and we won't have to replace him with a superior model!

Henry Pyrgos signs a 2 year deal with Edinburgh.

He's a strange one - he has become a key component in how Edinburgh play particularly Europe, but he's often been a key reason why we've not played very well as well!

Eejit wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Dear Jimbo and Glasgow

Please do not move Sir Safford of Walking on Water McDowell to 15.

From a Scotland viewpoint we need a decent young 12 and 13. We're fine for 15 with Hoggy still actually quite young (at least two world cups left in him) and His Blairness is coming along fine.

Moving Stafford to 15 would be internationally unwise!

Well get someone to teach King Blarehorn to a) pass the ball sometimes b) stop bloody dropping it and we won't have to replace him with a superior model!

I'll give you passing, but dropping the ball? He's nowhere near as prolific a ball dropper this year as the likes ofr Horne and particularly Seymour.

tigertattie wrote:

Eejit wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Dear Jimbo and Glasgow

Please do not move Sir Safford of Walking on Water McDowell to 15.

From a Scotland viewpoint we need a decent young 12 and 13. We're fine for 15 with Hoggy still actually quite young (at least two world cups left in him) and His Blairness is coming along fine.

Moving Stafford to 15 would be internationally unwise!

Well get someone to teach King Blarehorn to a) pass the ball sometimes b) stop bloody dropping it and we won't have to replace him with a superior model!

I'll give you passing, but dropping the ball? He's nowhere near as prolific a ball dropper this year as the likes ofr Horne and particularly Seymour.

Given the situation at 8 better get Stafford to play there. Let's face it, he needs a challenge, even still... Putting Maro Itoje on his erse while running in a record 5th hatrick in a row will be like rolling over in his sleep.

He'll be catching the ball on Horne and Seymour's behalf when he's not battering up the centre of the park.

tigertattie wrote:

Eejit wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Dear Jimbo and Glasgow

Please do not move Sir Safford of Walking on Water McDowell to 15.

From a Scotland viewpoint we need a decent young 12 and 13. We're fine for 15 with Hoggy still actually quite young (at least two world cups left in him) and His Blairness is coming along fine.

Moving Stafford to 15 would be internationally unwise!

Well get someone to teach King Blarehorn to a) pass the ball sometimes b) stop bloody dropping it and we won't have to replace him with a superior model!

I'll give you passing, but dropping the ball? He's nowhere near as prolific a ball dropper this year as the likes ofr Horne and particularly Seymour.

I think he's dropped it a few times this tournament including letting the ball bounce of his head vs Italy (I think).

Well I turned the 7s on to try to cheer me up but unfortunately they lost badly too.

On the plus side Max McFarland is like greased lightning - stupidly fast and impossible to put down. He's built even smaller than Darcy Graham though and can't imagine he'd be much use in heavy pitches in November!

Alex Coomes looks a good player - big strong lad with decent pace.

Was a disappointing performance though.

Interesting little snippet from Mark Palmer this morning, as is his want

Jamie Bhatti is apparently going to moved down the M8 from Glasgow to Edinburgh for next season.

That seems a slightly odd one, as he is not going to be a first choice there either with the form Shoey has. Maybe it is about potential, they see him as the one most likely to make progress. It is not a ringing endorsement of Sutherland either, who a few years ago looked like the coming man.

It is going to leave Glasgow short of LH cover as well, I can see the Warriors forum going in to melt down even as I type! You would imagine that they will have someone else lined up if this is going to happen.

The traffic does seem to be a lot more one way atm, maybe someone else might come our waqy to even things up. Would not say no to one of the backrow, maybe Crosbie?

Probably spells the end of Marfo too, which is no surprise.

Brewery, p*ss up, organise.
Discuss, in no less than four sides of A4.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47513614

Tom English once again putting into words what we're all feeling.

Just watching the Quins v Gloucester game

Can you believe Kyle Trainor is on bench for Gloucester! You can't keep a good man down it seems.

Will be good to see how James Lang gets on as well, he is starting at FH for Quins

Looking at the scoreline I'm guessing Lang (or anyone in a Quins shirt) isn't having a game to remember?

No, I don't think Lang is going to be troubling the selectors for next weekend

BigGee wrote:No, I don't think Lang is going to be troubling the selectors for next weekend

if he can play 13, or is at least willing to give it a go, he's on the short list. Right behind GC's Uncle Doogie.