Glasgow and Edinburgh - Unceasing Banter Thread 27

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

For those Scottish and Scottish-rugby interested posters who just cannot seem to shut the feic up about it.

26,000 posts of abject nonsense and incorrect usage of the quote function (and counting).

We should be proud.

[Hazel Sapling]

Montpellier just got an intercept try to get the bonus point. We are in the Challenge Cup. Only have ourselves to blame, but at least we can maybe make a run in the Challenge Cup. Would have fancied ourselves against Leicester though...

[EST]

Montpellier just got an intercept try to get the bonus point. We are in the Challenge Cup. Only have ourselves to blame, but at least we can maybe make a run in the Challenge Cup. Would have fancied ourselves against Leicester though...

Absolutely agree, Glasgow are a Challenge Cup team and could do quite well in that comp. We still have some way to go until we have pack that can compete consistently with the best European teams, at scrum and line-out time we were ok on the weekend, but both locks lacked the physicality needed in open play. In the backs, lets hope that Murchie can get some cohesion going in defence - Tuipulotu is good going forward, but I do have some questions about his marshalling of the defence at 13.

[BigGee]

Matt Fagerson signs on again for the Warriors.

Another good bit of business along with Kyle Steyn last week

[tigertattie]

Ha HAaaaaaaaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

There you go. Told you it would happen. First rearranged 1872 fixture set for Friday 18th March. The day before super Saturday in the 6nations. So the showpiece of Scottish club rugby will be without any international players.

Well done. Well done indeed.

Sure it’s all Glasgow’s fault for running scared over crimbo, but my god the stupidity of rearranging the game at 6ns time is epic.

[RDW]

So the question is, who has a better team without all the internationals available?

[BigGee]

Glasgow obviously

[RDW]

Edinburgh might be something like the below, although we might get a few fringe Scotland players back:

1 - Venter
2 - Cherry
3 - De Bruin
4 - Sykes
5 - Young
6 - Kunivau
7 - Crosbie/Boyle
8 - Muncaster

9 - Sheil
10 - VDW
11 - Moyano
12 - Hutchinson
13 - JJ
14 - Boffelli
15 - Immleman

[BigGee]

Edinburgh might be something like the below, although we might get a few fringe Scotland players back:

1 - Venter
2 - Cherry
3 - De Bruin
4 - Sykes
5 - Young
6 - Kunivau
7 - Crosbie/Darge
8 - Muncaster

9 - Sheil
10 - VDW
11 - Moyano
12 - Hutchinson
13 - JJ
14 - Boffelli
15 - Immleman

Come on Founder, Darge has crossed over from the dark side now!

[BigGee]

Glasgow maybe something like:

Keeble
Brown
McBeth
Gray
McDonald
Gordon
Wilson
Dempsey
Dobie
Thompson
Forbes
Fergusson
Smith
Fifita
McKay

[RDW]

Edinburgh might be something like the below, although we might get a few fringe Scotland players back:

1 - Venter
2 - Cherry
3 - De Bruin
4 - Sykes
5 - Young
6 - Kunivau
7 - Crosbie/Darge
8 - Muncaster

9 - Sheil
10 - VDW
11 - Moyano
12 - Hutchinson
13 - JJ
14 - Boffelli
15 - Immleman

Come on Founder, Darge has crossed over from the dark side now!

Conor Boyle!

[BigGee]

Kunavula re-signs for Edinburgh. He has only played 16 times for them so far, but it feels like it should have been a lot more as he always looks good when given the chance.

With him, Mata, Haining, Bradbury and Munchester coming up fast on the rails. Edinburgh definitely got to many 'big lump' back rows.

They are all decent players and won't be cheap, surely one of them has to move on and the smart money would be on Bradbury.

[Tramptastic]

Kunavula re-signs for Edinburgh. He has only played 16 times for them so far, but it feels like it should have been a lot more as he always looks good when given the chance.

With him, Mata, Haining, Bradbury and Munchester coming up fast on the rails. Edinburgh definitely got to many 'big lump' back rows.

They are all decent players and won't be cheap, surely one of them has to move on and the smart money would be on Bradbury.

If Edinburgh were to be serious about retaining the best talent to remain competitive then Haining should be on the way out. He's a good club man but Bradbury by far has more potential.

[BigGee]

Kunavula re-signs for Edinburgh. He has only played 16 times for them so far, but it feels like it should have been a lot more as he always looks good when given the chance.

With him, Mata, Haining, Bradbury and Munchester coming up fast on the rails. Edinburgh definitely got to many 'big lump' back rows.

They are all decent players and won't be cheap, surely one of them has to move on and the smart money would be on Bradbury.

If Edinburgh were to be serious about retaining the best talent to remain competitive then Haining should be on the way out. He's a good club man but Bradbury by far has more potential.

I am not sure potential is the way to describe Bradbury, he has had that for years and has blown hot and cold way to often. He is at the point in his career where he should be delivering consistently. Of that group Munchester and to some extent Kunavula, who will likely continue to improve as he gets more game time, are the ones you could say have potential.

Haining may be the weakest of the group but is almost certainly cheaper and will likely play the squad player role a bit more effectively. Bradbury will cost more and may well not be as good value for money.


It has got to be about balancing the squad at the end of the day. The situation at Edinburgh with No.8s is like Glasgow with SHs and in both cases, you would imagine the coaches realise that.

[Tramptastic]

Kunavula re-signs for Edinburgh. He has only played 16 times for them so far, but it feels like it should have been a lot more as he always looks good when given the chance.

With him, Mata, Haining, Bradbury and Munchester coming up fast on the rails. Edinburgh definitely got to many 'big lump' back rows.

They are all decent players and won't be cheap, surely one of them has to move on and the smart money would be on Bradbury.

If Edinburgh were to be serious about retaining the best talent to remain competitive then Haining should be on the way out. He's a good club man but Bradbury by far has more potential.

I am not sure potential is the way to describe Bradbury, he has had that for years and has blown hot and cold way to often. He is at the point in his career where he should be delivering consistently. Of that group Munchester and to some extent Kunavula, who will likely continue to improve as he gets more game time, are the ones you could say have potential.

Haining may be the weakest of the group but is almost certainly cheaper and will likely play the squad player role a bit more effectively. Bradbury will cost more and may well not be as good value for money.


It has got to be about balancing the squad at the end of the day. The situation at Edinburgh with No.8s is like Glasgow with SHs and in both cases, you would imagine the coaches realise that.

The only caveat to that is all the 8s are also very capable 6s so theres quite a bit of room for shuffling through the season. I think Bradbury has been hitting his straps this season, maybe thats because the gameplan has changed and he's a bit enthused by it? His perfomances dropped off under cockerill the longer cockerill was in charge so he's maybe one of these players that needs more of a supportive coach than a whipmaster

[BigGee]

https://www.theoffsideline.com/the-world-of-scottish-rugby-and-beyond-according-to-mark-dodson/

He is no doubt a bit of a marmite personality is Dobson, but you can't deny that he knows and is on top of his brief.

Some interesting comments in this interview, both for the short, medium and longer term of the Scottish game.

RDW - you will no doubt be fascinated to hear of the upcoming issues that Murrayfield is likely to have over the next while. This could be your ticket back to Scotland to sort it out

[RDW]

Yes the stadium will be needing some pretty major maintenance soon, and potentially to be re-built in another 20 years time or so which ain't gonna be cheap.

[jimbopip]

Team's out
1. Oli Kebble (67)
2. Fraser Brown (116) (CC)
3. Enrique Pieretto (27)
4. Kiran McDonald (43)
5. Richie Gray (71)
6. Ryan Wilson (201) (CC)
7. Thomas Gordon (42)
8. Jack Dempsey (10)

9. George Horne (75)
10. Duncan Weir (116)
11. Rufus McLean (16)
12. Sione Tuipulotu (12)
13. Kyle Steyn (42)
14. Sebastian Cancelliere (3)
15. Ollie Smith (10)

16. Johnny Matthews (19)
17. Jamie Bhatti (58)
18. Simon Berghan (2)
19. Lewis Bean (14)
20. Ally Miller (3)
21. Jamie Dobie (26)
22. Ross Thompson (26)
23. Stafford McDowall (30

Interestingly Shona and Seaman play in the centres which may well mean that they are not in contention for a Scotland start next week. Titman stats but conversely that may mean that Toonie wants him to get some game time before next week.
Both Kiwi back three players, Forbes and Mckay, are absent. Forbes has looked like he neede a rest for some time, McKay maybe looked like he thought he could win games on his own. It'll be good to see how Ollie Smith gets on; another two tries?
great to see Meatball get a start: but still no sign of Miotti
The pack looks fairly solid. Hopefully Bean and Miller will make an impact when they come on. Incidentally, anyone who hasn't seen Rob Harley asking various members of the Glasgow squad to read Address To The Haggis on the club's FB page should do so: Lewis Bean's rendition is hilarious and novel.

Finally, I never thought I'd be glad to have Omicron but.... the second team skipper called young Pipetto to ask if he'd be available to play on Saturday. Oh yes please was his excited reply.
"That's great young Pip, oh and by the way...do you think your dad might be available again?"
I feel I've dodged a bullet there.

[BigGee]

That's not a bad team considering.

Connacht are playing well though, so likely to be a tough day at the office.

Am a bit surprised that there is no sign Miota as well though, but maybe a windy day in Galway is right up Duncy's street.

[Hazel Sapling]

Not a bad side from Glasgow, the pack has plenty of proven operators starting and on the bench. Berghan should hopefully get a half as he builds up. Scotland will need him if anything happens to Zander or Nel.

The backs are interesting and as mentioned it will be good to see if Ollie Smith can relax and take his chance. He struggled a bit last season and an assured performance here may get him several starts through the rest of the season.

[funnyExiledScot]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ospreys at Swansea.com Stadium in Round 11 of the United Rugby Championship
Saturday 29 January, kick off 5.15pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Henry Immelman (8)
14. Darcy Graham (45)
13. Matt Currie (6) VICE-CAPTAIN
12. Cammy Hutchison (8)
11. Emiliano Boffelli (6)

10. Jaco van der Walt (77)
9. Henry Pyrgos (58) CAPTAIN

1. Boan Venter (17)
2. Dave Cherry (46) VICE CAPTAIN
3. Angus Williams (7)
4. Marshall Sykes (15)
5. Glen Young (2)
6. Magnus Bradbury (103)
7. Connor Boyle (12)
8. Mesulame Kunavula (16)

Replacements:

16. Adam McBurney (2)
17. Harrison Courtney (2)
18. Lee-Roy Atalifo (16)
19. Jamie Hodgson (32)
20. Ben Muncaster (4)
21. Ben Vellacott (10)
22. Charlie Savala (7)
23. Mark Bennett (61)

Should be a good game. Interesting to see Currie named as a vice captain. Clearly seen as a big prospect.

[RDW]

Matt Currie must be highly regarded to be named vice captain after 6 caps!

Is the Ospreys stadium really called the Swansea.com stadium?

(Not the DAM Health is much better)

[BigGee]

Probably to soon this 6N, but surely Currie going on the summer tour

[RDW]

Probably to soon this 6N, but surely Currie going on the summer tour

Might still be early - he's still a child. I'd rather Bennet and Jones get involved again - they've got plenty years left in them and we need to see if we can rely on anyone other than Harris!

[funnyExiledScot]

Agree that it's a wee bit early for Currie. I remember being excited about Tom Phillip and George Taylor at a similar stage, but both fizzled out and injury took them away.

Still, he's got a really balanced game and plays with his head up. He's also in the right place at the right time, as Blair has the backline really well organised. Duncan Hodge's reputation collapses further with every passing game!

[BigGee]

Harris will get rested this summer for sure.

Bennett, if he stays fit, may well take one spot at OC.

I am not sure I see a way back for Shuggy atm to be honest. Unless he can take the Quins 13 shirt and he is not showing many signs of doing that. The same strengths and weaknesses are still there in his game.

Currie looks like he might be the future, Blair certainly seems to think so.

[funnyExiledScot]

Matt Currie must be highly regarded to be named vice captain after 6 caps!

Is the Ospreys stadium really called the Swansea.com stadium?

(Not the DAM Health is much better)

It's a dreadful name. Reminds me of when Man City moved into their new stadium and did an online poll to name the ends of the stadium, and all the United fans hijacked it so one end would be named after Colin Bell...

[funnyExiledScot]

Harris will get rested this summer for sure.

Bennett, if he stays fit, may well take one spot at OC.

I am not sure I see a way back for Shuggy atm to be honest. Unless he can take the Quins 13 shirt and he is not showing many signs of doing that. The same strengths and weaknesses are still there in his game.

Currie looks like he might be the future, Blair certainly seems to think so.

I've watched Jones a few times for Quins this season and he looks a bit lost. Miles behind Marchant. I've been a massive supporter of Jones, but he must be behind Harris and Bennett (and probably Scott, even at 13). Bennett has been terrific this season, and I'd love to see him given another shot in the summer.

[RDW]

Harris will get rested this summer for sure.

Bennett, if he stays fit, may well take one spot at OC.

I am not sure I see a way back for Shuggy atm to be honest. Unless he can take the Quins 13 shirt and he is not showing many signs of doing that. The same strengths and weaknesses are still there in his game.

Currie looks like he might be the future, Blair certainly seems to think so.

Jones TBF has generally been in the 23 most weeks, and has been getting some starts. He's starting just now and did last weekend as well. Not going so well for Quins though and there's no Marcus Smith to work a late miracle!

Not a clear standout like he used to be, but he is playing.

[BigGee]

Having said that Jones just made that Quins try!

[RDW]

Yeah was gonna say! He's still got it in attack

[bsando]

More mistakes for Glasgow this afternoon. Horne making a mess of a ruck only a few metres out from the connacht try line. Dobie comes on and Glasgow score two on the bounce. A very well taken chip by Steyn over the Connacht defence for his try.

[bsando]

Ollie smith with a brilliant long distance kick to win a 50/22. He's impressed me recently

[bsando]

Shame the forwards couldn't have a try of their own, seems like the backs may have to put the game to bed. Opportunity for Connacht to clear their lines and try and get back into the game

[bsando]

Solid win in the end (despite both sides losing players pre 6N). Connacht are a difficult side to beat so that's a good away result for Glasgow. It wasn't looking fantastic until the last quarter of the match when the flood gates opened.

[Hazel Sapling]

After conceding that early second half try, Glasgow cruised. Should have been ahead by more in the first half. Difficult away task and got a 5 - 0 victory. Bhatti got involved heavily when came on and Berghan got some time on the pitch as well which is good.

Edinburgh lost that game rather than Ospreys winning. The error JVDW was decisive on the conversion that was blocked. Boffelli also blew the final major opportunity by kicking it out of the dead ball zone. These are experienced players making huge mistakes. Savala was not brought on which is a massive kick in the teeth.

Hutchison was excellent and Venter got a hat-trick (that somewhat hides the mess that was the scrum though it seemed to be the TH side that was a problem). Pyrgos had a normal game for him which may have made VDW's job harder but at the same time, there is no excuse for screwing up that conversion.

[RDW]

Poor results for Edinburgh given it sounded like we had the game under control in the first half. We've got some tough games to come so needed that win.

Great win for Glasgow - not many teams will get that scoreline in Galway!

[BigGee]

Was out this afternoon and watched both games when I got home this evening.

Great win for Glasgow, who look like they might have a squad that will stand up to international demands. Some good performances from Tuipolotu, who looks better at 12 than 13 and Steyn who looks better at 13 than on the wing!

Mclean and Smith both caught the eye as well. Ollie Smith finally showing us that he is comfortable at this level and Mclean that he is going to be a real contender for a wing spot this 6N. You would play him over Graham on current form.


Edinburgh just chucked their game away. They have played a lot of relatively easy games so far and their inexperience showed. two howlers from VDW probably cost them but they did not look like a top of the league team. Still a BP away is never to be sniffed at and may count in the longer term.

[jimbopip]

as ever, Gee, you make some astute points. I was worried that Glasgow were heading for a nasty case of the nastybigboysdarkalley syndrome but thankfully I was wrong. The Craggy Islanders are no mugs and beating them at home is never easy.
I thought that both front rows did very well for Glasgow; there was no drop in quality when the replacements came on the scrum was solid for 80 minutes.
Big Ritchie must win the Awkward Barsteward Of The Season trophy for his destruction of opposition lineouts. McDonald and Maroon 5 both looked like bellicose buggers which is a good look on a second row.
Ali Miller is obviously very angry at sitting behind Fagerson and Dempsey for the 8/6 spot and he took his frustrations out on anyone in a green jersey who had the temerity to stand in front of him.
Tom Gordon....normally we'd be raving about his Duracell Bunny-never stop-get right in their faces performance but I kept thinking "How good is Rory Darge?". But the Mullet is good too.
In a similar vein; Hornito had a good match; one of his best in a while....but Dobie's pass is a thing of beauty. DW really should be playing Dobie more often.
Shona-Seaman really did a job on the Craggies' midfield. If we're stuck with them through the 6 Nations period oh well
Cancilliere is beginning to show us the player we thought we were signing. Again a run of matches will do him no harm at all.
Smith and Titman. They really look like they are going to be there for a few seasons. By there I mean first choice for the Warriors and giving Toonie more Tombola options than he knows what to do with.
Final word....Wee Dunky OK he missed a few kicks but everyone does that over there. However like Harley and Batman he is a Warrior to the core of his being.

[TJ]

I think for Edinburgh the players missing was just too much. too many 2nd and third choices on the field and not enough experience to close the game out. Its not just the errors highlighted above - we blew other try scoring chances and lost control of the game

[jimbopip]

I think for Edinburgh despite the players missing was just too muchstandards were maintained.  As usual there were too many who played like  2nd and third choices on the field and not enough experiencecommon sense  to close the game out.  Its not just the errors highlighted above - we blew other try scoring chances and lost control of the gameof our bladders all too often.

fixed that for you

[TJ]

[EST]

Was out this afternoon and watched both games when I got home this evening.

Great win for Glasgow, who look like they might have a squad that will stand up to international demands. Some good performances from Tuipolotu, who looks better at 12 than 13 and Steyn who looks better at 13 than on the wing!

Mclean and Smith both caught the eye as well. Ollie Smith finally showing us that he is comfortable at this level and Mclean that he is going to be a real contender for a wing spot this 6N. You would play him over Graham on current form.


Edinburgh just chucked their game away. They have played a lot of relatively easy games so far and their inexperience showed. two howlers from VDW probably cost them but they did not look like a top of the league team. Still a BP away is never to be sniffed at and may count in the longer term.

Absolutely agree with this point, Tuipulotu looks much more comfortable at 12 in defence and he has pretty decent skills which allow him to distribute at 12. Steyn to my mind has always looked liked he should be playing 13 - is quick but doesn't have electric pace, runs fantastic lines and is a brilliant defender - I hope this is a sign that Glasgow are going to utilise him more there going forward.

Was delighted to see Smith have a good game too, he has always looked like a standout player at lower levels and a lot of his poorer moments last season seemed to be more really bad luck than anything else - hopefully he can push on now.

[bsando]

Now that Grigg and Jones have gone it makes sense to give him more game time at 13. He played well there and I agree on points above about his pace being better suited to a centre position rather than the electric pace required on the wing. Glasgow have some excellent wingers now so makes sense to move him back to 13 going forwards, but it’s also great he can cover both positions.

[bsando]

Although VDW didn’t play well that could be a coaching mistake rather than his fault entirely. Rotation is so important throughout the season and Blair might have given kinghorn a bit too much game time to the detriment of VDW. It’s great Kinghorn has played well but there needs to be continuity as players step in and out of the squad during the international window. Poor result considering the season so far.

[jimbopip]

Now that Grigg and Jones have gone it makes sense to give him more game time at 13. He played well there and I agree on points above about his pace being better suited to a centre position rather than the electric pace required on the wing. Glasgow have some excellent wingers now so makes sense to move him back to 13 going forwards, but it’s also great he can cover both positions.

I had to read this three times but then I got a nosebleed.

[bsando]

Now that Grigg and Jones have gone it makes sense to give him more game time at 13. He played well there and I agree on points above about his pace being better suited to a centre position rather than the electric pace required on the wing. Glasgow have some excellent wingers now so makes sense to move him back to 13 going forwards, but it’s also great he can cover both positions.

I had to read this three times but then I got a nosebleed.

forget the moving forwards bit, he’s going back to 13. I’d offer you a tissue for your nose but I only use handkerchiefs unfortunately

[jimbopip]

Now that Grigg and Jones have gone it makes sense to give him more game time at 13. He played well there and I agree on points above about his pace being better suited to a centre position rather than the electric pace required on the wing. Glasgow have some excellent wingers now so makes sense to move him back to 13 going forwards, but it’s also great he can cover both positions.

I had to read this three times but then I got a nosebleed.

forget the moving forwards bit, he’s going back to 13. I’d offer you a tissue for your nose but I only use handkerchiefs unfortunately

I have a very strong feeling that one or two people in Westminster will be saying those exact words later this afternoon as Sue Gray has delivered an "update on Partygate" to Downing Street and The Fat Adulterer In Chief will be speaking to the House later.

[tigertattie]

Farce that was jimbo.

Hardly a report, more a summary of things already known with no conclusion

Not Ms Gray’s fault though. The old bill have got involved. Either they are protecting and serving the PM or they want the credit for delivering the fatal blow. Time will tell which one

In other news, 4 days to go

[RDW]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5tNNcizdbE&t=10s

Pretty honest chat with Ryan Wilson here. Covers many topics, including Batman-gate.

Worth a watch!

[RDW]

Some signing news - Matt Scott signs on again at Leicester. Great to see him have some stability finally, and he's now a first team regular at the form team of the season so far.

SHC is off to Treviso apparently. Last season he got a lot of gametime with Exeter but has barely featured this season (if at all). A hugely talented player but for whatever reason can't hold down a long-term gig!

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