Edinburgh V Cardiff Blues

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday 22 April (kick-off 2.05pm) - BBC WALES
15 Chris Paterson

14 Sep Visser
13 James King
12 John Houston
11 Jim Thompson



10 Phil Godman
9 Alex Black



1 Kyle Traynor
2 Andrew Kelly
3 Jack Gilding

4 Robert McAlpine
5 Steven Turnbull

6 Alan MacDonald

7 Struan Dewar

8 Roddy Grant CAPTAIN

.

Substitutes:

16 Alun Walker
17 Robin Hislop

18 Lewis Niven

19 Murray Douglas (Aberdeen Grammar)

20 Hamish Watson
21 Chris Leck

22 Harry Leonard
23 Dougie Fife



15 Ben Blair 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Tom James 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams
8 Luke Hamilton 7 Martyn Williams 6 Maama Molitika 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies 3 Scott Andrews 2 Marc Breeze 1 Gethin Jenkins

16 Kristian Dacey 17 John Yapp 18 Sam Hobbs 19 Macauley Cook 20 Josh Navidi 21 Richie Rees 22 Dan Parks 23 Gavin Evans



Think it's fair to say this is pretty much a 3rd choice Edinburgh team, with young amateurs included!

Another humping on the cards then....

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Think it's fair to say this is pretty much a 3rd choice team, with young amateurs included!

Another humping on the cards then....

You do realise your playing the Blues this weekend right? Mind you, with a partizan crowd, you can bet these young Edinburgh lads will be in for a long day, especially in the scrum

Hopefully John Yapp and Reese are playing - see what we're getting when they move to us next season!

Good to see James King back, and I look forward to seeing how young Rob McAlpine goes again, but ouch-town, that's a raw team - Bradley protecting his players rather than battle-hardening them. Not sure that's the right strategy tbh

I'm quite happy - it is a 6 day turnaround including a flight home from Cardiff and a flight out to Dublin, and most of them played last week (although you would have thought we put our C team out last week!)

Plus Cross looked knackered last week, which is worrying in itself but he has played 80 minutes in most Edinburgh games recently, which is a lot for a tighthead. Especially one with a lightweight pack behind him in the scrums!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Hopefully John Yapp and Reese are playing - see what we're getting when they move to us next season!

Don't hold your breath - Richie Rees isn't on form and Yapp isn't going to set the world alight for you - 2nd or 3rd choice I'd imagine.

Well theres not much riding on it but if the Blues don't beat this Edinburgh side there's something seriously wrong!

Anybody seen Murray Douglas play? A potential signing for next season or just filling a gap?

I'm disappointed to see Godman starting, as I don't really see the point. Godman is leaving and Leonard is going to be playing a lot of games next year, so why not give him game time?

Plus Godman is crap!

Pat_Mustard wrote:Anybody seen Murray Douglas play? A potential signing for next season or just filling a gap?

Played in the impressive Aberdeen GR team at the Melrose 7s. Looked fairly mobile for a big lad.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm disappointed to see Godman starting, as I don't really see the point. Godman is leaving and Leonard is going to be playing a lot of games next year, so why not give him game time?

Plus Godman is crap!

Agreed - a pretty silly decision.

I have no issues with Bradley resting players this week. Edinburgh have never looked battle hardened at any stage this season, and their game plan replies on high intensity and high energy levels. There's nothing left at all to play for in the league, not even dignity to salvage, so its eggs in one basket time.

If Cardiff don't win this comfortably then they are in the wrong business.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm disappointed to see Godman starting, as I don't really see the point. Godman is leaving and Leonard is going to be playing a lot of games next year, so why not give him game time?

Plus Godman is crap!

Eh-hem, WCP pls!!

Personally I don't think "World Class" covers it. "Universe Class" surely more appropriate, especially when he has the headband on.

UCP.

Reckon anyone will go to watch? Cardiff have nothing to play for, it's our 3rd string team and I know the regions aren't exactly massively attended just now (more than us granted!)

Cardiff team - 15 Ben Blair 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Tom James 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams

8 Luke Hamilton 7 Martyn Williams 6 Maama Molitika 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies 3 Scott Andrews 2 Marc Breeze 1 Gethin Jenkins

16 Kristian Dacey 17 John Yapp 18 Sam Hobbs 19 Macauley Cook 20 Josh Navidi 21 Richie Rees 22 Dan Parks 23 Gavin Evans

Decent looking Cardiff team - might avoid watching this one!

Surely you'll be going down to Cardiff for this one RDW - where's your loyalty??

It's supposed to rain this weekend. Watching Godman "manage" a game in the rain would at least give the ticket some slapstick value!

That Cardiff team will put 50 points on Edinburgh.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Surely you'll be going down to Cardiff for this one RDW - where's your loyalty??

Two words for you - I can't say they first one but the 2nd is "off"!

Come on guys lets have some positivity - Scottish teams always do much better when they are massive underdogs....

funnyExiledScot wrote:That Cardiff team will put 50 points on Edinburgh.

Well, if they lose it will be horrific.

Still, based on how they have been playing recently...

Can't remember the last time the Blues scored 50 points - and I don't think it was with Sweeney in the side - still good looking side though interesting that there's so many players who are leaving in the side 6 at my count

The fact that it will be the last game for such big name players I think will give the Cardiff guys plenty motivation to give us a humping.

Looked at the Cardiff website - 22 quid a ticket?? No wonder the crowds stay away! I'm disappointed having to pay 15 quid a ticket for advanced purchases for Edinburgh games!

RDW_Scotland wrote:The fact that it will be the last game for such big name players I think will give the Cardiff guys plenty motivation to give us a humping.

Looked at the Cardiff website - 22 quid a ticket?? No wonder the crowds stay away! I'm disappointed having to pay 15 quid a ticket for advanced purchases for Edinburgh games!

Really? It's about standard for the regions - occasionally you'll get tickets for around £17 though

Edinburgh tickets are 15 quid up until 5pm match day, and 20 quid after that.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Can't remember the last time the Blues scored 50 points - and I don't think it was with Sweeney in the side - still good looking side though interesting that there's so many players who are leaving in the side 6 at my count

Don't know about the last time, but this was my favourite

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7996656.stm

In a final, and Sweeney did come off the bench at 10 (and scored a try within minutes)

Ahh the good old days...I just sit and watch that video when the Blues are playing so poorly.

606,

What a final, remember watching that live and being wowed by the superb attacking play and dynamism by the Blues, like you said, the good old days.

Are you gonna go down to the game. I'm not for £22 unfortunately, what sort of crowd do you think they'll get, 4-5000 maybe?

martyr_94 wrote:606,

What a final, remember watching that live and being wowed by the superb attacking play and dynamism by the Blues, like you said, the good old days.

Are you gonna go down to the game. I'm not for £22 unfortunately, what sort of crowd do you think they'll get, 4-5000 maybe?

What a game - you had some good Welsh players backed up with great NWQ players on top of their game - Rush, Tito, Lualua, Blair. That's where the Blues should be now, at the top of their game with a strong squad!

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

martyr_94 wrote:606,

What a final, remember watching that live and being wowed by the superb attacking play and dynamism by the Blues, like you said, the good old days.

Are you gonna go down to the game. I'm not for £22 unfortunately, what sort of crowd do you think they'll get, 4-5000 maybe?

What a game - you had some good Welsh players backed up with great NWQ players on top of their game - Rush, Tito, Lualua, Blair. That's where the Blues should be now, at the top of their game with a strong squad!

It was Shanklin not Laulaula (he has only been there 2 seasons)

I havent been to a Blues game for a while (luckily I guess), not in the country anymore .

wales606 wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

martyr_94 wrote:606,

What a final, remember watching that live and being wowed by the superb attacking play and dynamism by the Blues, like you said, the good old days.

Are you gonna go down to the game. I'm not for £22 unfortunately, what sort of crowd do you think they'll get, 4-5000 maybe?

What a game - you had some good Welsh players backed up with great NWQ players on top of their game - Rush, Tito, Lualua, Blair. That's where the Blues should be now, at the top of their game with a strong squad!

It was Shanklin not Laulaula (he has only been there 2 seasons)

I havent been to a Blues game for a while (luckily I guess), not in the country anymore .

of course forgot about Shanks, but didn't realise Lualua has only been there 2 seasons, it seems like he's been there for ages!

wales606 wrote:I havent been to a Blues game for a while (luckily I guess), not in the country anymore .

You and a lot of other Blues fans I'd imagine...

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

wales606 wrote:I havent been to a Blues game for a while (luckily I guess), not in the country anymore .

You and a lot of other Blues fans I'd imagine...

Well I should hope that they are at least not forcing supporters from the country

I agree godman shouldnt be starting, and he has been short on form for a couple of seasons, but hes getting a bit more slagging than he deserves here.

I've said here before that Goodman has been a fantastic player for Edinburgh over the years, but it he really has bee poor since he's come back from his serious injury.

They make me feel like leaving the country!!!

The problems of the Blues all stem from pee poor management and the decision to move to the CCS!!!

I know the play is awfull to watch but thats not from a poor playing squad, it's from uncertainty, it's from the offload mess, and the lack of stability or any kind of leadership!!

This however has come at a really bad time for the Blues, big money from France says the players don't have to put up with this garbage anymore, they don't have to be bullied by the Piemans demands regarding pay, and no real quality player with any sort of backbone will sign for him!!

Thomas is now the biggest problem the Blues have!

thebluesmancometh wrote:They make me feel like leaving the country!!!

The problems of the Blues all stem from pee poor management and the decision to move to the CCS!!!

I know the play is awfull to watch but thats not from a poor playing squad, it's from uncertainty, it's from the offload mess, and the lack of stability or any kind of leadership!!

This however has come at a really bad time for the Blues, big money from France says the players don't have to put up with this garbage anymore, they don't have to be bullied by the Piemans demands regarding pay, and no real quality player with any sort of backbone will sign for him!!

Thomas is now the biggest problem the Blues have!

Thomas out. Back to CAP. Has to happen.

Dave the day that happens mate the drinks are on me!!!

Save your money, the drinks are on Gethin.....

“If they go back to the Arms Park next season I also think it would make a difference.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/04/21/toulon-bound-gethin-jenkins-refuses-to-rule-out-return-to-cardiff-blues-91466-30804207/#ixzz1siamOgx8

Ye i'd like to see that tight bugga get a round in!!!

Mind you with his new contract...

thebluesmancometh wrote:Ye i'd like to see that tight bugga get a round in!!!

Mind you with his new contract...

From what I have heard about Gethin, he would moan about buying a round all night if you could actually get him to part with his money.

Lets just say he doesn't keep his wallet in an open place when at the bar, he generally has it somewhere safe... like his nightstand!

I don't know, the academy players coming through don't seem all that great either

Good lord. An Edinburgh Ladies Second XV.

I know that it's tough for Cardiff at the moment, but if you can't horse this shower, then you should probably consider wendyball opportunities in the region.

George,
all thats missing from that Embra lineup is Rob Dewey huh ?

Just realised how apocalyptically bad our scrum will be - the worst props in the rabbo, a 13st 6ft 8 twenty year old 2nd row behind and 3 opensides, the tallest of which is just over 6ft!

I may have ellaborated mcalpines stats a bit but you get the idea!

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:George,
all thats missing from that Embra lineup is Rob Dewey huh ?

Absolutely, and perhaps Brendan Laney on the bench to add the Cherry of Lunacy to the Icing of Incompetence.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just realised how apocalyptically bad our scrum will be - the worst props in the rabbo, a 13st 6ft 8 twenty year old 2nd row behind and 3 opensides, the tallest of which is just over 6ft!

I may have ellaborated mcalpines stats a bit but you get the idea!

Looks rather like the Scotland scrum in the 90's....

I think the Blues should have gone with Gavin Evans over Hewitt at inside center but happy to see Hamilton get another shot.

maestegmafia wrote:I think the Blues should have gone with Gavin Evans over Hewitt at inside center but happy to see Hamilton get another shot.

Evans

Looks like a sell out crowd

who is luke hamilton whered the blues get him from?

Blues academy 8 (and Wales U20s I think)

ah rite he been playing prem rugby for cardiff rfc has he?