Ospreys vs Edinburgh - 22 February 2013

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 1:23 pm

Edinburgh Rugby v Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium
Friday 22 February (kick-of 8pm)

15 Greig Tonks

14 Dougie Fife
13 Nick De Luca
12 Ben Atiga
11 Lee Jones

10 Harry Leonard
9 Richie Rees

1 John Yapp
2 Steven Lawrie
3 Willem Nel
4 Perry Parker
5 Sean Cox CAPTAIN
6 Stuart McInally
7 Hamish Watson
8 Netani Talei

Substitutes
16 Andy Titterrell
17 Allan Jacobsen
18 Alex Allan
19 Robert McAlpine
20 Chris Leck
21 Piers Francis
22 Ben Cairns
23 Tom Brown

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 1:25 pm

As always with Bradley, you get the good and the bad.

The backline is good, and I fully understand why Leonard is starting. He was very good off the bench against Cardiff and in my view should play 10 in every match now until the end of the season.

Bad: Piers Francis back on the bench. Hunter wasn't great against Cardiff but 60 minutes is not enough to judge him. Francis had a run of games to show his limitations, and Hunter deserves more of a chance.

The pack looks good. I'm pleased we've gone with an out and out openside. Watson has promise, and it'll give us better balance.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 1:30 pm

Not sure why this came up in the international section, but Edinburgh do basically play to an international standard.......

by RuggerRadge2611 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 1:31 pm

Wrong section bud Doh

I agree Francis being anywhere near the 1st XXIII is a shocker but happy leonard is starting.

by **RDW** Fri 22 Feb 2013, 1:40 pm

Moved to the club section!

Glad someone did an article on this because I have lost all motivation for Edinburgh now. Let's see what new depths we can get ourselves to.

And in terms of the team - usual story, looks good, probably isn't.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 1:46 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Moved to the club section!

Glad someone did an article on this because I have lost all motivation for Edinburgh now. Let's see what new depths we can get ourselves to.

And in terms of the team - usual story, looks good, probably isn't.

Well let's be honest, anything we get from this is a bonus.

I just hope that Bradley has said to Leonard that he's getting a run now, and to just go out there and enjoy himself. It should be an open game that plays to his strengths, so fingers crossed if nothing else Leonard plays well. I'm genuinely excited about Laidlaw, Leonard and Scott playing together.

Keep the faith. We will win again. Some day.

by Hollbeck Ghyll Fri 22 Feb 2013, 1:51 pm

Alright lads - I know I tend just to pop up over the 6n, but I've been keeping tabs (god knows why) on Edinburgh.

Its really is a bit baffling that Hunter get drops completely, he wasn't great last week but I thought the whole point was to get some game time?

Let's just hope Leonard does enough in Bradley's barmy eyes to get a few more games after this.

by **RDW** Fri 22 Feb 2013, 2:02 pm

7 games until the end of the season – that is the only stat I care about!

Going to be embarrassingly low season ticket sales for next season if they don’t appoint a popular coach early and get rid of some of the dead wood.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 2:32 pm

Well I certainly won't renew my season ticket unless Bradley is replaced by someone with credibility.

I'm less fussed about new signings than I am being convinced that the new man can take the squad in the right direction, and that means developing Scottish talent into a competitive outfit.

I have zero interest in watching a bunch of NSQ journeymen lose every week.

I want to see Lawrie, Hislop, MacAlpine, Watson, Hidalgo-Clyne, Leonard, Farndale and Fife all play prominent roles next season. If not starting games, at least regularly featuring in the squads.

Never again do I want to sit and watch a team comprising 2/3rd NSQ players get walloped by 15+ points.

by **RDW** Fri 22 Feb 2013, 2:37 pm

Throw Kennedy into that mix too.

by nickj Fri 22 Feb 2013, 3:01 pm

Guys, which players would you jettison at the end of the season?

I'd be inclined to get rid of some of the NSQ guys we've brought in over the last few seasons, namely: Leck, Francis, Penn, S Visser and Titterrell.

I'd also question whether Black, Hunter, Houston or Turnbull really merit a pro contract.

I would actually keep Atiga, Talei, Parker and Basilaia for one more season and VDW, Nel etc also need more time.

I'd transfer Jackson over from the Warriors and bring Kennedy back as back up for Laidlaw.

I'd build a team around a core of Ford, Nel, Gilchrist, Rennie (Watson), Laidlaw, Jackson (Leonard), De Luca, Visser and Tonks

Finally our scouting network's (indeed Sean Lineen 's) brief for 2013 needs to focus on adding some stardust at tight head, lock and outside center. And ideally they should be NSQ: Ian Nimmo? Robbie Robinson? Grant Shiels

Our coaches also need to focus on developing a young, but experienced spine of: Hislop, Allan, Lawrie, Gilchrist, Watson, McInally, Kenndey, Leonard, Scott, Fife, Brown and Tonks

Anyway 'stream of consciousness' over, that's my starter for ten...

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 22 Feb 2013, 3:04 pm

Tell me you don't want Kennedy back please - he wants to stay in the West Whistle

Take yer paws right off Ruraidh Jackson - ye can have Scott Wight . There all sorted for yous !

by nickj Fri 22 Feb 2013, 3:17 pm

nickj wrote:Guys, which players would you jettison at the end of the season?

I'd be inclined to get rid of some of the NSQ guys we've brought in over the last few seasons, namely: Leck, Francis, Penn, S Visser and Titterrell.

I'd also question whether Black, Hunter, Houston or Turnbull really merit a pro contract.

I would actually keep Atiga, Talei, Parker and Basilaia for one more season and VDW, Nel etc also need more time.

I'd transfer Jackson over from the Warriors and bring Kennedy back as back up for Laidlaw.

I'd build a team around a core of Ford, Nel, Gilchrist, Rennie (Watson), Laidlaw, Jackson (Leonard), De Luca, Visser and Tonks

Finally our scouting network's (indeed Sean Lineen 's) brief for 2013 needs to focus on adding some stardust at tight head, lock and outside center. And ideally they should be SQ: Ian Nimmo? Robbie Robinson? Grant Shiels (oops)

Our coaches also need to focus on developing a young, but experienced spine of: Hislop, Allan, Lawrie, Gilchrist, Watson, McInally, Kenndey, Leonard, Scott, Fife, Brown and Tonks

Anyway 'stream of consciousness' over, that's my starter for ten...

by nickj Fri 22 Feb 2013, 3:35 pm

I realise the guy has been capped by the All Blacks but I wonder whether someone like Jamie Mackintosh at the Highlanders might be up for a move?

He's captained them for the last few seasons but he's fallen out of favour since Woodcock signed.

Come on Sean - we've done most of your job for you...https://www.606v2.com/t27967-scottish-players-plying-their-trade-outside-of-scotland-at-the-professional-level

By the way I googled 'scottish qualified rugby players' and the above thread was the first result.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 3:59 pm

606v2 rapidly becoming the authority on all things Scottish rugby!

by nickj Fri 22 Feb 2013, 4:01 pm

Just so long as Sean isn't relying on the Scotsman. Highly unlikely but you never know

by TJ1 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 4:07 pm

We do need a number of NSQ players - as the Rabo is played during the international windows we need a team that works then as well so we need not just NSQ players but non internationals. Unfortunatly Edinburgh have the wrong ones butplayers like Talai have been good for us. Seb visser may well go on to be scotland qualified as well

by nickj Fri 22 Feb 2013, 4:22 pm

Agreed TJ. We just need to sort the wheat from the chaff.

The EDPs should be given their head during the international windows too.

by **RDW** Fri 22 Feb 2013, 4:28 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Tell me you don't want Kennedy back please - he wants to stay in the West

So you would rather he was 4th choice at Glasgow than 2nd choice at Edinburgh?

As I've said before I can't see him being overly enthusiastic at leaving a successful Glasgow team for a crap Edinburgh team, but he ain't gonna get much gametime at Glasgow with 3 internationalists ahead of him.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 5:28 pm

TJ wrote:Seb visser may well go on to be scotland qualified as well

Stop the press. That's about as relevant as me being Scotland qualified.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 22 Feb 2013, 5:30 pm

It's surely a no brainer for Kennedy. Any young player with any potential must surely want to go to Edinburgh rather than Glasgow - that's where the real opportunities are to actually play.

Rees has probably only one more season to run at Edinburgh, after which whoever is next in line will play whenever Laidlaw isn't available. Glasgow have Matawalu, Cusiter and Pyrgos - no point in a young scrum half hanging out there, unless they want to take the Bennett approach to learning rugby - osmosis.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 22 Feb 2013, 5:42 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
TJ wrote:Seb visser may well go on to be scotland qualified as well

Stop the press. That's about as relevant as me being Scotland qualified.

No, unlike his brother, he has played for Holland - which I imagine comes as a relief for many!

by justified sinner Fri 22 Feb 2013, 6:32 pm

From what I've seen this season he's played better than Lee Jones, damning with faint praise.

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 7:43 pm

Interesting selection by Steve Tandy...Fotuali'i on the wing? chin

15 Richard Fussell
14 Tom Habberfield
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Jonathan Spratt
11 Kahn Fotuali'i (Capt)
10 Matthew Morgan
9 Rhys Webb

1 Ryan Bevington
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Lloyd Peers
5 Jonathan Thomas
6 James King
7 Sam Lewis
8 Morgan Allen

REPLACEMENTS

16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Marc Thomas
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Sam Williams
20 George Stowers
21 Arthur Ellis
22 Ashley Beck
23 Tom Grabham

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:09 pm

Morgs kicks for the corner rather than take a penalty...interesting decision.

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:11 pm

TMO decision...try by Morgan Allen!

Converted by Morgs. 7-0.

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:11 pm

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:13 pm

Poor kicking decision by Leonard for Edinburgh...they haven't got as much possession as they'd like. Wow! What a take by Habberfield!

by Breadvan Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:14 pm

KF on the wing? Very Happy

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:15 pm

The O's have 4 SHs in their backline - and Matthew Morgan is the size of most SHs.

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:16 pm

Yeah, Tandy was saying it was due to injuries.

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:18 pm

Don't they have any wingers in their academy. Apart from Dirksen do they actually have any winger?

Ross Jones is a FB
Habberfield is a SH
Fotuali is a SH

Who else have the O's played on the wing?

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:18 pm

Penalty opportunity for Edinburgh. Leonard's kicking for the posts and sends it wide.

7-0 at 13 minutes.

by Breadvan Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:20 pm

I know. Stick Jones at Fb and Fuss back on the wing? Strange...

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:22 pm

Jones is injured today, but they seem to have been playing him on the wing rather than moving Fussell back

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:22 pm

Edinburgh fluff a major try opportunity there...De Luca's pass easily intercepted by the O's. Very close to the try line too. Morgs superbly kicks it away.

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:24 pm

Dear Lord...De Luca's playing gash. He was way offside there and has given the O's an easy penalty kick which Morgs sends to the corner.

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:26 pm

Just swapped over

Where's the scoreboard?

Is it still 7 - 0?

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:27 pm

Yeah it is Wales, and no there's no graphics...oh now we have some Smile

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:27 pm

Interesting that they keep going to the corner, looking for the TBP early?

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:28 pm

Well done Allen! He's got his second and the O's second try!!

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:29 pm

Allen with a second

For a backline full of scrum-halves, they don't seem very tempted to pass the ball.

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:29 pm

wales606 wrote:Interesting that they keep going to the corner, looking for the TBP early?

Yeah they really need a WBP to get them back in the top 4.

14-0 after conversion.

by RuggerRadge2611 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:30 pm

Edinburgh are mince. I think I'll continue to watch the Scotstoun match because we are boakin'. vomit

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:31 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Edinburgh are mince. I think I'll continue to watch the Scotstoun match because we are boakin'.

At least you are not a Dragons fan.

Stadium seems pretty empty.

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:32 pm

Ah Radge...you never know with the O's they might get complacent before long and throw it all away!

by Breadvan Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:33 pm

wales606 wrote:Jones is injured today, but they seem to have been playing him on the wing rather than moving Fussell back

So much knowing about my own team.. Rolling Eyes

Pretty cold tonight. Not suprised its a low turn oot.

by Cari Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:33 pm

oof Edinburgh no.23 got a knee in the face. Think he'll be off shortly.

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:34 pm

The O's are really going to miss Fotuali next season, having been carp for most of his first season, he has been the O's best player in almost every game this year.

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 8:39 pm

Oh dear, that's not the Rhys Webb of last season - what a waste of a penalty.

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