Glasgow and Edinburgh Ongoing Banter Thread 26

[Hazel Sapling]

First topic message reminder :

A continuation on previous threads discussing the past, the present and the future of Scottish rugby. A dose a day, keeps optimism away

Halfway through a Covid season and not far from the Rainbow cups, both teams are on the precipice of missing out on the top tier in Europe next year. The Rainbow Cup is a well thought out idea of including sides from South Africa, the home to a new Covid variant that vaccines may not work on, with international travel involving several regions of Europe.

Glasgow Squad

LH: Kebble, Bhatti, Lambert
Hooker: F Brown, Turner, Stewart, Matthews,
TH: Z Fagerson, Berghan, Pieretto, McCallum, McQuillan
Locks: Cummings, R Gray, Harley, McDonald, Bain, Bean
Back Row: Wilson, Gordon, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey, Miller, G Brown

SH: Price, G Horne, Dobie, Kennedy
FH: Weir, Miotti, P Horne, Thompson
Centres: S Johnson, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Grigg, Fergusson
Back Three: McLean, Forbes, McKay, Cancelliere, Tagive, Steyn, O Smith


Edinburgh Squad

LH: Schoeman, Venter, Grahamslaw
Hooker: McInally, Cherry, McBurney, Harrison
TH: Nel, De Bruin, Atalifo, Williams
Locks: Gilchrist, Toolis, Young, Hodgson, Sykes, Phillips
Back Row: Mata, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury, Crosbie, Haining, Boyle, Kunavula, Muncaster

SH: Pyrgos, Vellacott, Shiel
FH: VDW, Chamberlain, Savala
Centres: Lang, Taylor, Bennett, Dean, Johnstone, Venter, Currie, Hutchison
Back Three: Graham, Kinghorn, Hoyland, Blain, Bofelli, Moyano, Immelman, Owsley


Previous Thread
https://www.606v2.com/t69760-the-glasgow-and-edinburgh-general-chat-discussions-are-limited-to-6-people-before-10pm-to-prevent-the-spread-of-jimboish
https://www.606v2.com/t69555-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-24-covid-funtimes?highlight=banter
https://www.606v2.com/t69038-glasgow-and-edinburgh-banter-thread-no-23-new-season-new-thread?highlight=banter

[RDW]

I mean when there's 200 box kicks per Edinburgh game a few seconds could make a big difference!

[EST]

I mean when there's 200 box kicks per Edinburgh game a few seconds could make a big difference!

Very true, poor Henry Pyrgos didn't know what hit him!

It was really noticeable in the France v Wales game, Luke Pearce was all over it and the Dragons 9 even got penalised for it in the Glasgow game.

[mikey_dragon]

Well Edinburgh lose 34-15 down in Cardiff, but actually played as well as I have seen them play for a long time, the score does not really reflect the game.

Mata looks right back to his best and Kunavulo looks like a chip off the same block. Hoyland, Willemse, Crosby all really showed up. They also played a much more expansive game than usual.

Cardiff had a bench to bring on and Edinburgh did not, that and having 20 year old FH playing his first game of union for 2 years (he actually did ok but really green and not able to run a game yet).

All a bit late in this very odd season for Edinburgh but at least they went down fighting, unlike Glasgow yesterday!

Yeah was going to say Edinburgh played quite well, so it turned out to be a bit of strange result/score.

Was going to ask, who's is Bill Mata's Fijian mate? You'll be pretty good with those two and Watson in your back-row!

[bsando]

Well Edinburgh lose 34-15 down in Cardiff, but actually played as well as I have seen them play for a long time, the score does not really reflect the game.

Mata looks right back to his best and Kunavulo looks like a chip off the same block. Hoyland, Willemse, Crosby all really showed up. They also played a much more expansive game than usual.

Cardiff had a bench to bring on and Edinburgh did not, that and having 20 year old FH playing his first game of union for 2 years (he actually did ok but really green and not able to run a game yet).

All a bit late in this very odd season for Edinburgh but at least they went down fighting, unlike Glasgow yesterday!

Yeah was going to say Edinburgh played quite well, so it turned out to be a bit of strange result/score.

Was going to ask, who's is Bill Mata's Fijian mate? You'll be pretty good with those two and Watson in your back-row!

Just caught the scoreline and was expected a lot of flack on here, glad to see Edinburgh showed up finally despite losing the game.

[EST]

Another flying winger

Sebastian Cancilliere, 10 Argentine caps

We will have quite a backing next season if they can get any ball!

What do we think is the best Glasgow team is for next season, assuming Shug is away?

Kebble
Brown
Fagerson
Gray
Cummings
Dempsey
Gordon
Fagerson

Price
Miotti
Cancelliere
Johnson
Grigg
McLean
McKay

Bhatti
Turner
Pierreto
McDonald
Wilson
Dobie
Weir
Smith

Quite happy with that, considering where the squad was at the start of this season.

[jimbopip]

EST you've missed Forbes out. Dempsey too.Seuli?
Kebble-Brown- Ragnar
Seuli-Turner-Pierretto
Bhatti-Stewart-Berghan
Allan-Matthews-Rae
There's also Nicol and Thornton.
I think DW can rotate to his heart's content in the front row.
I think the point I'm trying to make is the squad will be very different next season and it'll be interesting to see who steps up, which combinations click and who does a Brandon Thompson.

[EST]

Yeah Jim, was just going for my first choice 23 - the really good thing is that we can debate about who should be starting for a number of key positions such is the depth. No excuses for DW next season, Glasgow have definitely backed him in difficult circumstances in the transfer market.

[Hazel Sapling]

In a perfect world, we need to be targeting Bhatti and Berghan as the second choice props. We do not have many props playing abroad and it is important for the Scotland team that Glasgow and Edinburgh largely rely on SQ players.

Would probably look at Tuipolotu and Steyn to be putting Grigg and Smith's positions under pressure in that starting 23.

G Horne's star has fallen rapidly. Hopefully he can get a deal with a Bristol or something of that like who can give him gametime and confidence. Too good to be 3rd choice

[EST]

In a perfect world, we need to be targeting Bhatti and Berghan as the second choice props. We do not have many props playing abroad and it is important for the Scotland team that Glasgow and Edinburgh largely rely on SQ players.

Would probably look at Tuipolotu and Steyn to be putting Grigg and Smith's positions under pressure in that starting 23.

G Horne's star has fallen rapidly. Hopefully he can get a deal with a Bristol or something of that like who can give him gametime and confidence. Too good to be 3rd choice

To be honest Hazel, I had actually forgotten we had signed Berghan. I think it's a toss up between him and Pierreto and they will fight it out for second spot in the pecking order. Tuipuloto is a bit of an unknown quantity, which is why I omitted him but I would hope he will be pushing Grigg hard. Steyn is a cracking player and ahead of Smith, I only left him out as he has been injured for what seems like a very long time - he will almost be like a new signing. It will be interesting to see where he plays, I think he has done a lot of his best stuff for the Warriors at 13.

[RDW]

So we now have a full set of emojis! Looking forward to seeing Jimbo work out how to use them
.      

[jimbopip]

Emojis? Is that kid speak for feelings?

[RDW]

A pretty accurate description actually!

[jimbopip]

A pretty accurate description actually!

[BigGee]

Hamish Bain gets a contract extension as well. He has done ok for us on his appearence and hopefully there is more to come as he adjusts to being a full professional.

I imagine that will be it for us on the second row front. That touted SQ South African unlikely to be coming now.

[EST]

I've not been hugely impressed with Bain, think he could quite quickly find himself overtaken by the two academy locks who have been training with the Scotland squad.

[BigGee]

I've not been hugely impressed with Bain, think he could quite quickly find himself overtaken by the two academy locks who have been training with the Scotland squad.

I think they have a little way to go yet, they are only 18 and have not even played u20s yet. Good prospects but not going to be our salvation for a few years yet.

Still, good to have some talent in the pipeline.


Bain is a squad player currently but is young enough to have some potential to improve still.

[EST]

I've not been hugely impressed with Bain, think he could quite quickly find himself overtaken by the two academy locks who have been training with the Scotland squad.

I think they have a little way to go yet, they are only 18 and have not even played u20s yet. Good prospects but not going to be our salvation for a few years yet.

Still, good to have some talent in the pipeline.


Bain is a squad player currently but is young enough to have some potential to improve still.

Yeah, they absolutely won't be pushing for a starting spot; but if it's the middle of an international window next season and there is a place on the bench I can see one of them jumping ahead of Bain - a bit like how Gregor Brown did this year. They must be very highly rated if they've been chosen to train with the Scotland squad at that age.

[BigGee]

Blimmey, both Glasgow and Edinburgh look right down to the bare bones for this weekends games.

Glasgow need to put Benetton away with a BP to be sure of 4th place as Edinburgh don't look like they are going to be giving the Drags much resistance.

Toonie seems to have kept a lot more players with the squad for this one, I guess because they have got to travel, but it has left both sides pretty decimated.

[jimbopip]

It's 500 days since Glasgow last started a game without Batman. What a legend.

[Hazel Sapling]

Edinburgh side is missing 27 players to injury and internationals....

McCallum - Kitchen - Atalifo (Gunn - Harrison - Williams)
Sykes - Hodgson (Ferreira)
Bradbury - Kunavula - Crosbie (Boyle)

Pyrgos - VDW (Shiel)
Dean - Bennett (Currie - Taylor)
Sau - Kinghorn - Blain

[BigGee]

Glasgow winning comfortably at HT, with 2 tries in the bag.

Two more in the second half and the BP win should keep us in 4th place.

[BigGee]

Glasgow disintegrating in the second half again, which is developing into another penalty fest

20-15 Glasgow now, BP looking a long way off

[BigGee]

Well Niko has been a bit of a liability since he has come on, then suddenly pops up and scores our third try.

25 mins to score one more!

[BigGee]

Hornito is back to sting Benetton

Great break from Ross Thompson and Georgie on the support line as always

BP try

34-15 Glasgow

[jimbopip]

Glasgow disintegrating in the second half again, which is developing into another penalty fest

20-15 Glasgow now, BP looking a long way off

And Little Big Horne makes a liar of you!
Thompson looks very much at home at this level.
Smith looks as if he might be a good 15, probably needs a little more time.

[BigGee]

Glasgow disintegrating in the second half again, which is developing into another penalty fest

20-15 Glasgow now, BP looking a long way off

And Little Big Horne makes a liar of you!
Thompson looks very much at home at this level.
Smith looks as if he might be a good 15, probably needs a little more time.

The youngsters have played well, it is the older hands who need to look at themselves!

[BigGee]

They look like they have relaxed a bit now the match is won and the 5th try comes in

The more points we score, the less likely it is for the Drags to catch us

39-20 Glasgow

[BigGee]

Lee Jones knocks on on the line in the act of scoring

[BigGee]

and Jonny the Scouser gets our 6th try just running straight over from a tap.

That adds 21 pts to our points difference.

We just need the Luuvies to put up a bit of resistance against the Drags tomorrow and we should have 4th.

[BigGee]

Well that is the end of our season and despite the disappointments, there is some hope for the future.

Ross Thompson, when he finally got his chance has looked an outstanding prospect. Ollie Smith, when he remembered not to get a YC today, also looked like he had something about him with some very good breaks.

Add to that Dobie, Mclean, Brown as well as Hornito and Gordon who are a little bit further ahead in their development and it looks like the basis of a team, with some very capable imports coming in to assist them.

Next season will hopefully be a much better one.

[jimbopip]

It has been a pretty rubbish season in a completely rubbish year for everyone.
The emergence of the youngsters you mention is one bright spot. McKay, Forbes, Tuipoluto, Cancilliere, the Argie 10, Meatloaf and Dempsey are all exciting prospects. DW seems a good fit for Glasgow. The big question will be just how long will it take for all the pieces to fall into place.
If Flockhart returns the Back row lots a lot better.

[RiscaGame]

and Jonny the Scouser gets our 6th try just running straight over from a tap.

That adds 21 pts to our points difference.

We just need the Luuvies to put up a bit of resistance against the Drags tomorrow and we should have 4th.

Dragons have to get a BP win (difficult enough) and 44 points no? Think you’re safe. Would be nice for Edinburgh to do the dirty mind haha.

[RDW]

Really can't see Ross Thompson getting much gametime next year with 2 international 10s brought in ahead of him, who will also not likely be away much, which is a real shame.

[RDW]

Edinburgh have 27 players missing and have had to round passers by up to make a 23, so there is a good chance we'll her pumped!

[BigGee]

Really can't see Ross Thompson getting much gametime next year with 2 international 10s brought in ahead of him, who will also not likely be away much, which is a real shame.

I don't see why that should be the case at all. if DW practices the art of rotation, then Thompson should see enough action to continue his development. Fundamentally, if he is playing well enough, he will get picked and it would not take a lot to propel him towards the Scotland squad either as the third FH. Neither Weir or VDW are compelling prospects these days.

He is only 21 and does not need to be starting every week in any case. The exposure he has had this season is going to accelerate his development by good fortune.

[BigGee]

Well the young Luuvies played out of their skins down in Wales, won the second half once their subs came on and almost won the game in the end. They have done Glasgow a bit favour.

There were some fantastic performances amongst them. Sheil finally looks like he is becomming a SH who can control a game, the difference he made when HP was hooked was incredible.

The scrum actually improved when the subs came on, Gunn, Williams and the 18 year old Patrick Harrison, he may be a name for the future.

Add Skyes, Boyle and matt Currie who also had good games and there is some promise there. The Drags did not score a point in the second half and were hanging on by their fingernails at the end.

Kunovola had another fabulous game as well though, Edinburgh fans just have not seen enough of him, a Mata Mark 2 undoubtedly.

[RDW]

Pyrgos and Sheil sign a contract extension, which I'm guessing spells the end of Groom at Edinburgh.

Pyrgos certainly doesn't set the Heather alight but he's an experienced head to help Sheil develop and provide backup for Vellacot.

[BigGee]

Pyrgos and Sheil sign a contract extension, which I'm guessing spells the end of Groom at Edinburgh.

Pyrgos certainly doesn't set the Heather alight but he's an experienced head to help Sheil develop and provide backup for Vellacot.

Sheil is suddenly starting to look like a more serious option for Edinburgh, worthy of more than a cameo off the bench against a tiring side. Cockers subbed HP off (much to his surprise) after about 45 mins on sunday and the change of pace that Sheil injected into the game was what turned the match around. If he carries on playing like that then Toonie will start to notice, Vellacott is a similar kind of player, who also wants to be allowed a starting role.

HP may well become the old sage brought on to close the game out from here on in.

[George Carlin]

What did we learn from this club season?

Seems to be an absolute write off.

My Irish friends got narked at me because I didn't even know that the Pro 14 final had already been played but similarly if there were ever two Scottish clubs contesting the final, I wouldn't expect any fans outside Scotland to be interested in that either.

[BigGee]

What did we learn from this club season?

Seems to be an absolute write off.

My Irish friends got narked at me because I didn't even know that the Pro 14 final had already been played but similarly if there were ever two Scottish clubs contesting the final, I wouldn't expect any fans outside Scotland to be interested in that either.

What did we learn?

There are some promising young players coming through and hopefully we will see more of them next year

[Hazel Sapling]

At Glasgow we learned:

Our prop depth struggled due to regression and injuries for Allan, Rae and Nicol. Hooker was not much better with injury to Brown and Stewart's season of being half in the Scotland squad, half 4th choice for Glasgow.

The locks went from deep to crisis due to transfers, injuries and Scotland call-ups. Naka was out of shape for much of the season and is only returning to form as he is walking out of the door.

Our back-row lacked talent, cohesion, discipline and depth. Tom Gordon and the 3 games of Gregor Brown were the only bright spots.

Dobie is going to be playing for Scotland before RWC2023 and has a fair shot to make the squad. We missed G Horne.

Ross Thompson was Glasgow's best fly-half this season and he did not play until December. Brandon Thomson's confidence was shot to pieces and more or less ended his time at Glasgow. Peter Horne is also approaching the end of his career and is only an IC. Hastings wanted out and is getting paid handsomely by his new club.

Our centres have become a hodgepodge without a defining philosophy. Injuries to S Johnson, McDowall and Steyn for extended periods, and positional switches for H Jones and P Horne left us lacking both talent and depth.

Back three talent had reached the end of the line. Nairn failed to do enough, Seymour was unfortunately broken and the good sides of Matawalu are limited on the wing. L Jones and Bryce have been good though both may be gone. McLean was a breath of fresh air and O Smith may come good.

Overall issues with lack of talent due to injury and call-ups. Some good young players coming through in Brown, Dobie, Thompson, McLean and O Smith. Desperate need for an overhaul that has already started with a new TH, BS, OS, no. 8, FH x2, OC and Wing x 2

[jimbopip]

What did we learn?

The Rugby Club
When Batman and The Giant Red Crayon retire the stadium will implode and there will be nothing to live for. Glasgow will once more resemble the final scenes ( which means from line one onwards) of a Samuel Beckett play.
Scott Cummings will captain Scotland...and coincidentally prove Schiz to be a modern day John The Baptist.
Danny Wilson wants to put out a back line with five wingers...all under 21.
Jamie Dobie is the real thing.

The Knitwear Models
The Reading Room will probably prove too voluminous for the crowds attracted to Box Kicking Marathons.
Hamish Watson is a force of nature.
Grant Gilchrist actually has a good rugby player lurking inside him. But not in a Gareth Thomas kind of way.

[jimbopip]

Glasgow team's up!
Kebble-Chuckles-Ragnar
Surfer Dude-Big Bad
Lokotui-Batman-Mullet
Aldi Price-Haircut
Blondie-Squiggsy
Jones-Shug-Titman
Bench
Turner Evans Pirate
Naknaks
Ioane
Hornito
Thompson
Madmadmata

I did it like this just for Highland Shaun. Check the pics on the Warriors fb page to see who Blondie is.

[TJ]

What did we learn?

Playing the pro 14 during internationals absolutely effs us up - and covid made it worse by not allowing fringe players back to the clubs and by having weeks more of AIs

Whole season a write off for both clubs

[NeilyBroon]

Glasgow team's up!
Kebble-Chuckles-Ragnar
Surfer Dude-Big Bad
Lokotui-Batman-Mullet
Aldi Price-Haircut
Blondie-Squiggsy
Jones-Shug-Titman
Bench
Turner Evans Pirate
Naknaks
Ioane
Hornito
Thompson
Madmadmata

I did it like this just for Highland Shaun. Check the pics on the Warriors fb page to see who Blondie is.

To be fair that nickname could apply to half the Scotland squad at the moment!

[EST]

What did we learn from this club season?

Seems to be an absolute write off.

My Irish friends got narked at me because I didn't even know that the Pro 14 final had already been played but similarly if there were ever two Scottish clubs contesting the final, I wouldn't expect any fans outside Scotland to be interested in that either.

Much like the other responders,  results wise a total write off.  There are green shoots to hold onto though.  

I'm actually quite positive for next season from a Glasgow perspective; I like Danny Wilson and reckon he is a good fit for this young team.  The squad has a much needed re-fresh and the players brought in all look like they will bring a lot to the table, a number of the old guard will rightly be moving on and we have brought through some very promising young players (albeit a bit too late for my liking).  I think over the next couple of years we can push on and be a force again.

Edinburgh wise, I don't know if it's because they have nothing to play for, but over the last few games they have definitely started to play with more ambition - perhaps a sign of things to come in the new season. They have good players in there if they just let them play within a structure that isn't so restrictive.

[BigGee]

Another shoot in the foot performance for Glasgow. This was a game we could conceivably have won, but with a red and 2 yellow cards, we certainly did not deserve to.

TJ Ioane proved himself to be a liability once again with his crazy tackle for which he was rightly sent off. I don't think we will be seeing him in a Glasgow shirt next season.

I have come round to the idea as well, that I am not so sad to see Hastings heading off to pastures new as well. He looks like he needs a new challenge and has not played well since his injury at the beginning of the season. We looked better once Thompson came on last night and nothing I have seen about him suggests that he won't make it at this level.

George looked very sharp once he came on, pity it is all happening to late for him this season though.

I don't know what the Rainbow cup is going to have in hold for us, but in all honesty, it feels like our season is just about over.

[George Carlin]

Great posts fellers - thanks very much.

[jimbopip]

Benneton winning against Agen means Glasgow would have been at home to the Italians in the semi.
You have to feel that we really blew a good chance to win the Diddy Cup last night.
I still think DW will come good for us next season.
Also, I don't get the feeling too many people will be deeply upset at Haircuts departure. He is a talented player but "Once A Warrior Always A Warrior"? We might make an exception here.

[RDW]

Decent start from Edinburgh - actually creating chances in the backs! Final execution just letting us down. Had a backs move try ruled out from a knock on in the lineout leading up to it.

Some baffling scrum pen calls from the ref against us - he appears to have it in for us to front

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