The Glasgow and Edinburgh General Chat. Discussions are limited to 6 people before 10pm to prevent the spread of Jimboish.

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Another chat thread dedicated to speculation, rumination, and general perambulation through the trials and tribulations of the club from the west with no forwards and the club from the east without a backs coach.

One day we'll have more rugby to talk about!

I reckon Healy would have a decent shot at Ireland considering Sexton is an injury magnet and, contrary to his own belief, getting old for a fly half. Beyond him there's carberry and Billy burns. Scotland he'd potentially be behind Hastings and Russell until 2023 at least, and possibly VdW, not forgetting potentially Nathan Chamberlain.

It'd be more RDWs point, is he willing to get pro experience with a team that is in the doldrums to be top dog? Possibly. But then what happens with Ross Thompson and the time invested in him? Why aren't we trying these avenues already before throwing out baby and bathwater in buying someone? If he's Scots qualified great, but doesn't mean he has to come and play for Glasgow. I'd rather see the current academy players get a shot and think that'd be better for both parties. He's not going to learn anything in a Glasgow shirt other than how to lose at the moment. It's only a matter of time before rugby pass is doing an article on Fagerson leaving for a prem club, Cummings etc.

Mcsweens wrote:Jamie Lyall reporting the Hastings move is now a done deal.
Looks like the Prem clubs are skooshing away their CVC money on salaries after all.

At Glaws he'd be the replacement for Cipriani who is on quite a wedge so might even save a little money with that swap. Takes Hastings closer to Somerset where he's spent a lot of time previously at school and in the Bath academy. He's from Edinburgh as is his dad there's to no real ties to Glasgow other than going there for his career.

Bet that's pulled the rug out from under the SRU's feet. Just as Andy Burke and Tom English were discussing players ambitions and the possibility of a mass exodus at Glasgow on the BBC Scottish Rugby podcast.

Hastings moving to Gloucester is a big blow. When was the last time Glasgow didn't have a Scottish fly half? Parks, Russell, Hastings have covered the better part of a decade with Horne slotting in where needed. Thomson has not really developed into a strong contender to hold the shirt down more than injury cover or during the international period. Horne is at the end of his career like a few other Glasgow players (Wilson, Seymour, Harley).

On the surface it all seems like doom and gloom, but I personally think the SRU surely must have a plan for Glasgow. This isn't a sudden occurrence, we've been talking about the need to bolster their squad for a few season now. Hastings departing earlier than expected must be a big shock though. I'm sure they had been hoping to get him on a new deal for another 2 years minimum.

As a move though I think Hastings has picked very well. Gloucester are an exciting team and he'll get to link up with May, LRZ, 12trees, Heinz and Carreras. I also noticed Gloucester SH Charlie Chapman has played for Scotland U20's, so Hastings will be the 5th Scottish player at Gloucester. The other Scots being Atkins, Craig and Harris.

It's a really good move for Hastings. Just not so much Glasgow!

RDW wrote:It's a really good move for Hastings. Just not so much Glasgow!

Is it that good a move? Certainly financially, but he is unlikely to win anything with Gloucester. I'd say in terms of standard, both teams are roughly at the same level, although granted with perhaps differing trajectories.

Have to say i'm really disappointed by this, he still has a way to develop and at Glasgow he would be a guaranteed starter and get plenty of minutes - thought he would give Glasgow one more contract and then move at the same age as Hoggy/Gray/Russell. Still, can't blame him - Glasgow are really not presenting a good offer to young talent just now.

More worryingly, is this the start of a mass exodus? I really worry for Glasgow if we lose the likes of Fagerson Snr and Cummings.

To be fair, no one's going to beat Exeter anytime soon (until Sarries are back up probably), and Gloucester are very much in the chasing pack. There are probably 6 AP teams that could just as easily finish 7th or make the final depending on how their season goes - they're very much in that band. It's not like a Newcastle, Worcester, London Irish etc who will always be slugging out near the bottom (barring the odd good run).

Look at Wasps - rotten in 2019, managed to make the final on 2020!

He's going to be in am incredibly competitive environment when every week is a must win game. I agree that another 2 years at Glasgow would have been good for his development too, and there is a risk in this move.

We are certainly stacking up a good few players in the Premiership, which will add to our depth internationally.

Domestically we are just going to have to wait for snother good crop of youngsters to work their way through. It looks like the door is being opened for them

True, i'd still say it's a sideways move in rugby terms though - they have gone through a period of significant upheaval recently and they have been inconsistent on the pitch for a long time, although I don't how the loss of Ackerman/Humphries and the appointment of Skivington is viewed by their fans.

Money talks though, and I certainly can't blame Hastings for moving for more cash.

BigGee wrote:We are certainly stacking up a good few players in the Premiership,  which will add to our depth internationally.

Domestically we are just going to have to wait for snother good crop of youngsters to work their way through. It looks like the door is being opened for them

Who though BigGee? Looking at the Glasgow Academy I only really recognise Lambert and Smith as standouts and they haven't been given a shot this season. Ross Thompson is nearer to 22 than 21 and I don't think he has one pro cap to his name. It's difficult to see where the next crop is coming from.

I was thinking younger than that, probably the ones we have not heard of yet

This may take a few years!

Healy is I'm sure a great player, but he's an untried 21 year old. If we are looking for someone outside the system the priority should be an experienced older player - a Jimmy Gopperth type figure - to bring on the youngsters. If Healy comes as part of that deal then that would be fine.

I don't think he will though - Bleyendaal has retired and gone back to NZ now, so he's well placed to compete with Hanrahan for the starting jersey at Munster. It he does come he'll have to be on a very good sized salary.

Shame for Glasgow to be caught cold like this, seemingly. Their point of difference, in the absence of big bucks, has been in part a reputation for good management and planning.

BigGee wrote:I was thinking younger than that, probably the ones we have not heard of yet

This may take a few years!

Yeah, depressingly I think you are right.

The problem I have is that Thompson hasn't been tried in favour of Thomson who we know is sub par. 21 going on 22 is hardly ancient, that was about the age Hastings was when he started getting more pro time.

Agree with sentiments there's no point in bringing in Healy unless we're getting a senior player too. Who would that be though? All I can think is maybe Weir would come back, or one of the tier two international fly halves perhaps.

It is almost like Glasgow could do with a 32 year old former Scotland fly half who can cover 15 and has great facial hair.

There is something broken at Glasgow at the minute. R Thompson played well at u20 level and has been given no opportunities. We have been playing our NSQ props as starters over similar quality SQ props. The backs are not doing much and the forwards are getting overpowered even though our pack has a good front five. Will need someone more educated than I to do a deep dive on what the tactics are.

This season was always going to be awful but it would have been fine if we found 6 - 8 young players taking the next step either from academy/early pro to established club pro or from club pro to competing for international honours (McDowall, Gordon, Dobie I considered the most likely). Got six months to turn this ship around

https://www.the42.ie/danny-cipriani-gloucester-exit-5300480-Dec2020/?utm_source=shortlink

Healy pursuit still may have some legs, Glasgow apparently upping their offer.

BigGee wrote:https://www.the42.ie/danny-cipriani-gloucester-exit-5300480-Dec2020/?utm_source=shortlink

Healy pursuit still may have some legs, Glasgow apparently upping their offer.

Well he'll have the experience and wisdom of Glasgow's number 1 fly half, Pete Horne, to kick start his pro career. What more could a young player want?

Hastings may as well move now for all the time he's actually going to appear in a Glasgow shirt given his injury then the 6N! I can't imagine Glasgow are going to be in any playoff games either.

If he doesn't take a better offer perhaps that means he's been offered something in principal by Munster and is holding out until they can resume contract negotiations.

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/government-funding-is-massive-boost-for-scottish-rugby

Some good news, hopefully that trickles down to grass roots level

Lyon game off. Gives us two weeks to get ourselves together and get healthy. We really need some of our injured players back to at least have a chance of competing

Will be interesting to see who the committee decides who won. Particularly on Exeter v Toulouse!

Missing this game won't do Glasgow any harm at all.

It will be pain for Exetet though!

.....assuming no one gets Covid and damages their health of course!

Apparently Kevin De Bruyn is on a flight to Glasgow. Don't we already have Shug, Seaman, Squiggsy and Paddy Kelly at 13?

Shug is signed til summer 2021, I bet he'll be next to announce departure.

This Niko story from Ryan Wilson rings true and I love it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfiFrZhi8Kc

"I want the wing"

!872 and Pro12 match on 27th called off due to positive Covid cases in the Glasgow camp.

LondonTiger wrote:!872 and Pro12 match on 27th called off due to positive Covid cases in the Glasgow camp.

Damn, where am I going to get my fix of watching a couple of bald blokes fighting over a comb from now?! Let’s be honest this season’s 1872 games weren’t shaping up to be classics!

Glasgow have called the game off because basically they are scared of just how many points Edinburgh were going to out on them

Seriously though I’m hoping this is just a blip following covid breaking in via the euro cup door. If it gets a foothold then that’ll be the season over and of course there’s the health risks to everyone

Lyon also got given a symbolic 28-0 victory in the euro fixture, which on face value seems quite tough on Glasgow as it was not really our fault.

On the other hand, the way things went last weekend, 28-0 does not necessarily seem all that bad!

Handing out 28-0 wins/losses is just stupid when it’s due to these circumstances. A 0-0 draw is much more realistic.

I don’t think it matters in the grand scheme as I think cross border sport will be canned in January/February

Watching Edinburgh vs Sale.

Bennett having a mare in defence, and young Sheil not playing well. But most glaring, once again, is the total and complete lack of cohesion in our attacking play. It is utterly beyond redemption.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Watching Edinburgh vs Sale.

Bennett having a mare in defence, and young Sheil not playing well. But most glaring, once again, is the total and complete lack of cohesion in our attacking play. It is utterly beyond redemption.

Hard to disagree with that

Sheil unfortunately has not pushed on and Bennett remaims prone to those defensive lapses

Shiel for me is a great impact option, but Groom should start for me. He's got that savvy streak to him, and you need that against De Klerk.

I think Sheil has to stand up and be counted now. He has been waiting for his chance and has palpably failed to take it.

I don't think Edinbugh or the SRU can afford the luxury of an impact only SH. Any SH worth talking about needs to learn some gsme control

I do agree. Failing to get box kicks away is fundamental, particularly with our limited game plan. Off he comes now for Groom.

Commentators are also right about Mata. Not in shape and not playing well. Still, he has plenty credit in the bank!!

On the positive side Sutherland is scrummaging well and having a decent game in general.

Much better from Bennett

Yup, nice line and, perhaps surprisingly, good hands from Chris Dean to release him.

Not quite sure how but Edinbugh in the lead!

Jeezo the TMO and ref made hard work of that.

Dean offside all day long there

It is crazy indiscipline and costs them the lead

Clear red

Poite has got to be the worst ref out there.

The TMO needs to stand up for herself!

Agree was a red

At least Edinburgh back in lead

Good win for Edinburgh after being out of the game in the first hslf.

Not pretty but that's a big win.

Watson was immense. Particularly as he had a shoulder charge to the head earlier!

Still a pretty poor fare from both teams and an awful lot to work on for Edinburgh

A win is a win though, especially in Europe

Good win, but I really hope that doesn't gloss over the glaring issue with this side: backs/attack.

Watson was good, as were Sutherland and Toolis. Toolis is such a consistent and important player for us. Just gets on with it. Crosbie and Cherry made a good impact. Cherry a better impact option than Willemse!

Agree on the red as well. Shoulder charge to the head is an easy call, and the assistant went silent when Poite asked if anyone disagreed. Really poor.

Also think Groom is our best 9. Just slicker and smarter than the other two. Shiel for the bench. Pyrgos 3rd choice now.