Glasgow and Edinburgh banter thread no. 23 - New season, new thread

[BigGee]

First topic message reminder :

Well a new season is probably time to start off a new thread.

2 weeks to the start of the season and both sides with one more pre season game to go. A lot of unknowns this season again, due to the number of players away with Scotland and other countries for the WC.

For Glasgow, can they continue their general excellence that took them on a fantastic end of season run to the Pro 14 Final, where they just fell short. It might be their last campaign under Dave Rennie, so can they go one better?

Edinburgh also have questions to ask, the main one being whether they can ever pass the ball past the FH and how soon before their wingers are likely to go blue from hypothermia? On a more positive note though, they may finally be playing in Mini Murrayfield by autumn 2020. So only one more year to bear playing in the library!

Good luck to both teams for the coming season, though Edinburgh are more likely to need it than Glasgow!

[BigGee]

Glasgow make a few squad changes prior to the next set of matches, bringing in a new LH and TH.

McQuillan has been kicking around the scene for a while now, with Edinburgh, the London Scottish, without ever really breaking through. The Argentinian comes into the old veteran class I guess and hopefully can still do a job.

I suspect this means we have some injuries still in the front row.



Gaston Cortes and Ewan Mcquillan have linked up with Glasgow Warriors as front-row cover, as Dave Rennie's squad prepares to return to Guinness PRO14 action this Friday night.




The prop duo are currently training with the Scotstoun side, providing competition for places over the next few weeks.

Cortes arrives at the club from Leicester Tigers, having previously made over 100 appearances for Bristol over a six-year spell.

Capped five times by Argentina, the 34-year-old stands at 5'11" and weighs in at 109kg.

28-year-old Mcquillan joins the squad from FOSROC Super6 side Southern Knights, having previously enjoyed spells in the English Championship with London Scottish and Yorkshire Carnegie.

The prop has impressed in his outings for the Knights so far this season, including a two-try showing in January's win over Boroughmuir Bears.

Meanwhile, loose-head Charlie Capps has joined Leicester Tigers on a short-term loan.

The Scottish-qualified prop moves to Welford Road as part of a swap deal with Cortes.

[BigGee]

https://www.theoffsideline.com/dave-rennie-epcr/

Dave Rennie not holding back on his thoughts on the Sarries decision!

[bsando]

Rightly so. Racing have also been highly critical of the decision. A technicality it may be but rules are rules. A small fine was never going to cut it with either club. A points deduction would also send a clear message to other clubs out there that you have to be meticulous in selecting eligible players.

[Eejit]

I’d rather Glasgow not go through on a technicality to be honest, not least because we’d get pummelled.

[RDW]

Well it's a much needed distraction this weekend with a return of Pro 14 rugby.

Glasgow have a straight forward game at home to Zebre and a chance for fringe Scotland players to put their hands up for selection.

Edinburgh have a tricky game away to Scarlets but one that comes with huge reward if we win it, creating some distance between us and Scarlets at the top of the table. Munster have Kings at home - another 5 pointer - so we'd drop down to 3rd if we lose.

From a Scotland perspective it looks like Turner, M Fagerson and Horne will be playing for Glasgow. Hopefully Edinburgh get Gilchrist back who surprisingly has been a spectator in the first few rounds of the 6N, and I'm sure Matt Scott and WP Nel will be desperate to play.

Edinburgh can actually put out a pretty good team - certainly our best during a 6N window for a long time:

1 Schoeman
2 Willemse
3 Nel
4 Gilchrist
5 Charmichail
6 Barclay
7 Crosbie
8 Mata

9 Pyrgos/Groom
10 VDW/Hickey
11 VDM
12 Scott
13 Bennett
14 Sau
15 Hoyland

Subs - Bhattie, Cherry, Ciccarelli, McKenzie, Matt Smith (?), Shiel/Pyrgos/Groom, VDW/Hickey, JJ

[EWT Spoons]

Disappointingly I thought "5 Charmichail" was a player I'd never heard of, it's disappointing as it took me far longer than it should have to work out who you meant. :-)

It's a good side, and hopefully the Scottish lads are motivated to put in a good performance to try and bring them to Toonie's attention.

[RDW]

That's pretty special spelling I agree!

Blame it on lack of sleep - was a late one getting home from Edinburgh last night. Quite a few people on the plane who had been trying to get home since Sunday!

[BigGee]

https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/argentina-international-pieretto-signs-for-glasgow-warriors

Glasgow sign up a new Argentinian TH from Exeter.

This guy looks a lot more like the sort of player we need on board. With Zander obviously unable to play 80 mins every week and doubts about fitness of Nuke and whether Nicol has got what it takes, this will fill in an obvious gap in our forwards.

A good signing.

[EWT Spoons]

Farndale has signed permanently for Edinburgh from the 7s. He's been back and forward so often I fully expect him to be back with the 7s next week.

[BigGee]

Farndale has signed permanently for Edinburgh from the 7s.  He's been back and forward so often I fully expect him to be back with the 7s next week.

Cockers likes his big powerful wingers and Farndale certainly fits that bill. He always seemed good enough for a crack at 15s and would likely have been in earlier if it were not for some bad injuries.

He will not doubt be lined up to replace VDM when he will be off with Scotland for a chunk of the season next year.

[EWT Spoons]

Farndale has signed permanently for Edinburgh from the 7s.  He's been back and forward so often I fully expect him to be back with the 7s next week.

Cockers likes his big powerful wingers and Farndale certainly fits that bill. He always seemed good enough for a crack at 15s and would likely have been in earlier if it were not for some bad injuries.

He will not doubt be lined up to replace VDM when he will be off with Scotland for a chunk of the season next year.

I largely agree, he just seems to do well in the 7s, get called up to 15s, disappear at the club for a while and then rock up back in the 7s. I really hope this time is the time he shows he's good enough.

[RDW]

Farndale has all the physical attributes but definitely needs more gametime to become an effective winger in 15s. Saying that he has been hampered by the Hodge attacking philosophy.

[EWT Spoons]

Farndale has all the physical attributes but definitely needs more gametime to become an effective winger in 15s. Saying that he has been hampered by the Hodge attacking philosophy.

Generous to suggest that exists.

[BigGee]

https://www.606v2.com/t69444-glasgow-warriors-v-zebre-a-valentine-s-night-special#3887947

[RDW]

Nel, Gilchrist, Haining, Crosbie and Scott confirmed as returning for Edinburgh. Looking at the weather forecast in Wales on Saturday I'm sure they wish they weren't!

[RDW]

Edinburgh game is surely going to be cancelled - the forecast looks works than the Calcutta cup game and the dragons game has already been called off.

Would be a shame as we've got a load of our internationals available, and you just know when it's rearranged that won't be the case!

[BigGee]

If they are going to cancel then surely they got to do it today before they travel down.

Fair play to the Drags for calling it early for Benetton

[tigertattie]

If they are going to cancel then surely they got to do it today before they travel down.

Fair play to the Drags for calling it early for Benetton

Difference is the itallians will be flying in. Edinburgh can get the train or bus.

[RDW]

NO real surprised from the Edinburgh team

Edinburgh name ten internationalists in their starting XV for tomorrow afternoon’s Guinness PRO14 Conference B clash against Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (Saturday 15 February, kick-off 3pm) – live on Premier Sports.
WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist, Nick Haining, Luke Crosbie, Henry Pyrgos and Matt Scott are all released from Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations camp for the top of the Conference encounter in Llanelli.
Fijian stars Viliame Mata and Eroni Sau are named at No.8 and winger respectively, while Scotland caps Mark Bennett, Damien Hoyland and Lewis Carmichael all retain their place in the starting line-up as the capital club return to action for the first time in four weeks.

Ahead of the fixture, Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said: "We’ve been back in training for two weeks preparing for Scarlets and this next block of fixtures - it’s a big few weeks.
“We’ve got a few guys back from Scotland camp with it being fallow week, so we travel south with a good bit of experience. We face tricky weather conditions on Saturday however, so it’s going to be a battle no matter what.
“These games are pivotal for us and it starts with Scarlets in Llanelli this Saturday. They are a quality team with plenty of internationalists, and they have a great home record as well, so we know how tough a test we face.”
Hoyland keeps his spot at fullback as wingers Duhan van der Merwe – named man of the match in October’s reverse fixture against Scarlets at BT Murrayfield – and Sau complete the back-three.
Scotland duo Scott and Bennett once again link-up in midfield, as scrum-half Pyrgos – who skippers the side – and stand-off Jaco van der Walt are selected at half-back.
Hooker David Cherry gets the nod up front and packs down alongside prop duo Pierre Schoeman and Nel.
An all-Scotland lock combination sees Gilchrist return from international duty to partner Carmichael in the second-row.
No.8 Mata anchors the back-row as flankers Crosbie and Haining form the remainder of the pack.

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in the Guinness PRO14

Saturday 15 February (kick-off 3pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Damien Hoyland (71)

14. Eroni Sau (7)

13. Mark Bennett (34)

12. Matt Scott (92)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (54)

10. Jaco van der Walt (52)

9. Henry Pyrgos (33) CAPTAIN

1. Pierre Schoeman (37)

2. David Cherry (21)

3. WP Nel (138)

4. Lewis Carmichael (42)

5. Grant Gilchrist (146)

6. Nick Haining (8)

7. Luke Crosbie (36)

8. Viliame Mata (68)

Replacements: 16. Mike Willemse (15); 17. Jamie Bhatti (10); 18. Pietro Ceccarelli (22); 19. Fraser McKenzie (118); 20. John Barclay (11); 21. Nic Groom (10); 22. Simon Hickey (31); 23. George Taylor (17)
Unavailable: Jack Blain, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn, Magnus Bradbury, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie, Ben Toolis, Rory Sutherland, Stuart McInally, Rory Sutherland

[NeilyBroon]

Farndale has all the physical attributes but definitely needs more gametime to become an effective winger in 15s. Saying that he has been hampered by the Hodge attacking philosophy.

Generous to suggest that exists.

"The Hodge attacking paradox" is probably more appropriate

[BigGee]

VDM scores a cracking try set up from a great run and offload from Haining

Good start from Edinburgh, they are playing into wind as well

[tigertattie]

Ahhh yes. Haining. The man Bradbury took the Scotland jersey off last week

[BigGee]

Big defensive set from Edinburgh this half, they have stood up really well.

Edinburgh look like they have got them in the set pieces as well

[tigertattie]

Hoping to hold out to half time
Should get more joy with the wind behind us 2nd half

[BigGee]

Another VDM break and Scott dots down under the posts

14-6 at HT

Good half for Edinburgh in the conditions, they should have the advantage second half

[tigertattie]

Aye, Matt Scott- the man that GT thinks is inferior to Sam Johnson in the Scotland jersey

[BigGee]

Frazer McKenzie looks like he has dislocated his shoulder and off he goes. He has had no luck this season

Barclay comes onto his old stomping ground to a big cheer

[tigertattie]

Mackenzie is a great club man. Just jacks that bit quality to be an international player.

But yup, stinkier of season for him this is

[BigGee]

14-9 Edinburgh at FT

Used their get out of jail card in the second half but a massive win and great points in the bank

Well done Edinburgh

[tigertattie]

Massive win. Gives us a good bit of breathing space now

Knowing Edinburgh, we’ll need it

[RDW]

Huge win!

[BigGee]

If they play like they did in the second half they will!

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Wow that’s a hell of a result, if only RugbyPass hadn’t decided to start clamping down on VPN use I would have managed to see it!

[RDW]

Just watched the VDM try - I struggle to comprehend a universe where he's not going to significantly add to Scotland's attacking threat!

He's an absolute freak of nature when put in space.

[BigGee]

It was one hell of a try!

[tigertattie]

That table

Week off but then back at it in a fortnight. Glasgow have their hardest match of the season coming up which ain’t nice at all

Edinburgh have an easier time no matter how you cut it with the blues coming to town. Add to that the fortuitous matter that Munster and scarlets play each other next, even better news for the conference topping team from the East

[George Carlin]

Thrilled that Edinburgh top the table.

Not convinced that the Weej can place more highly than they currently are.

[BigGee]

Cheetahs are still struggling to win away from home, so we are in with a shout if we can win some away games

[jimbopip]

Thrilled that Edinburgh top the table.

Not convinced that the Weej can place more highly than they currently are.

GC, we have Ulster home and away which could be the deciding factor. Actually, our next three home games are; Dragons, Ulster and Cheetahs. Fifteen points from that would shake things up more than somewhat. We have the Perfumed ones at home in the last game of the season: they shall be in possession of a home play off berth by then and we may well be needing five points. Would Cockers rest players for that or look for a morale boosting win?

[BigGee]

Think we might have Leinster in there as well Jim!

[tigertattie]

You have Leinster in 2 weeks. In Dublin

[BigGee]

You have Leinster in 2 weeks. In Dublin

To be honest, I'd rather play Leinster at this time of year than fully loaded later on. If we beat the Drags next week, we will be on a bit of a run and can go out there with a bit of confidence. We should get a few of Toonie's casts offs back for the game as well.

[tigertattie]

Would be a season changer if you got points off Leinster.

[BigGee]

Good news for SHC who finally bags a decent contract, 2 years with Exeter Chiefs

Well he has put himself about a bit and the shop windowing seems to have paid dividends. Apparently he may join earlier than next season, as his current loan deal with Lyon ends in March.

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Wow, that's a big opportunity, hope he makes the most of it!

Quite the Scottish contingent we're building down in Devon

[RDW]

Really pleased for him - good move and great it's a long term contract.

[tigertattie]

Wow, that's a big opportunity, hope he makes the most of it!

Quite the Scottish contingent we're building down in Devon

Maybe this is the SRUs way of creating a third pro team for Scotland? Send some players down, scout things out, then buy the club?

Aye? Maybe? Naw?

[123456789.]

Really good move for him, I've felt for a long time he's Laidlaw's natural successor as the tactical scrum-half albeit with a bit more about him. Exeter is a good move for him. It also dispels a bit of the attitude problem stuff that has dogged him as one would assume that Baxter would have spoken to Hogg before making the signing. Exeter are building up a real Scottish contingent. With Saracens going down next year we may well see our boys win some things.

[BigGee]

2 more years for Pete Horne.

Another good re-signing for Glasgow. He can be left to concentrate on being a FH now and will maybe go better without the presure of having to perform at international level upon him.

Even if he never really quite cut it at international level, he has always been a very good club player for Glasgow and will continue to be so.

[tigertattie]

2 more years for Pete Horne.

Another good re-signing for Glasgow. He can be left to concentrate on being a FH now and will maybe go better without the presure of having to perform at international level upon him.

Even if he never really quite cut it at international level, he has always been a very good club player for Glasgow and will continue to be so.

crikey aye, good club man.

That’s about it.

Actually works out quite well for Glasgow as they'll pretty much know that he'll be available during the international window. He's a good backup to have while not starving an up and coming Scottish Youngster from game experience.

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