Rabo Round 17 - Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues, 1 March

At Scotstoun Stadium , 7.35pm.
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 52nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andy Macpherson, Graeme Marshall, (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Douglas Hunter (SRU)
Not televised

Teams (listed here when announced):

Warriors

15 Peter Murchie
14 Byron McGuigan
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Peter Horne
11 DTH van der Merwe

10 Duncan Weir
9 Nikola Matawalu

1 Gordon Reid
2 Pat MacArthur
3 Jon Welsh
4 Tim Swinson
5 Alastair Kellock (Captain)
6 Josh Strauss
7 John Barclay
8 Ryan Wilson

Substitutes:

16 Fraser Brown
17 Ofa Fainga'anuku
18 Moray Low
19 Tom Ryder
20 James Eddie
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Scott Wight
23 Graeme Morrison

Not available for selection due to injury:
Michael Cusack (shoulder), Chris Cusiter (shoulder), Chris Fusaro (groin), Finlay Gillies (neck), Rory Lamont (he's Rory Lamont) and Tommy Seymour (ribs).

Blues

15 Chris Czekaj
14 Owen Williams
13 Richard Smith
12 Gavin Evans (c)
11 Harry Robinson

10 Rhys Patchell
9 Alex Walker

8 Luke Hamilton
7 Josh Navidi
6 Rory Watts-Jones
5 James Down
4 Lou Reed
3 Benoit Bourrust
2 Kristian Dacey
1 Tafufa'ao Filise

Substitutes:

16 Marc Breeze
17 Sam Hobbs
18 Tamba Petru
19 Maauley Cook
20 Thomas Young
21 Lloyd Williams
22 Gareth Davies
23 Cory Allen

2nd versus 7th in the table and it should be a good one - Blues' away record is impressive.

Form:

Glasgow:

Warriors 20 Ulster 14
Dragons 3 Warriors 60
Zebre 20 Warriors 36
Warriors 27 Northampton Saints 20

Blues:

Blues 22 Connacht 26
Edinburgh 16 Blues 17
Blues 11 Leinster 26
Blues 10 London Irish 6

Waffle:

Glasgow Warriors have now recorded four successive maximum point victories in the RaboDirect PRO12 - equalling the tournament record set by Dragons in 2003/04.

Warriors are the current form team in the PRO12 having won their last six contests and securing 28 league points in the process. The Scotsmen have lost just once to a Welsh region in their last eight such encounters.

Cardiff Blues have won five of their last seven away games in the RaboDirect PRO12, whilst their only defeat in their last six visits to Scotland in the tournament was 3-31 to Glasgow at Firhill in this equivalent fixture last March.

This is the 4th different venue in the last four Warriors-Blues contests with Glasgow winning the last three.

Can't believe it's not televised what with Glasgow's current league success to be honest. The SRU should be pressuring BBC Scotland to get something organised or even STV.

Televising a Blues game...don't be silly. Not since the 1st game of the last round of the HC.

Blues are going to get hammered

More of the previous 3 Fridays please Warriors !

Niko has won four consecutive man of the match awards now.

I don't think that I've seen that before.

No George me neither. Just glad he is with us for a couple of seasons - supporters love this guy - a new Bernie Stortoni in terms of fans favourite etc etc. Nico must be worth 20 points this season already !

I get the feeling that they're trying to get more people to go watch games by not televising them. This is the time of the year that the public are most aware of rugby so maybe they're trying to increase the gates by not televising the games?

I'm looking forward to this one. The game last week was excellent, the complete opposite of the Leinster game earlier in the season which was possible the dullest game of rugby I've ever had the misfortune to attend.

Will Scotland players be available? If so which ones? I expect they will want the starting 15 to rest, but what about the bench players etc?

George Carlin wrote:Niko has won four consecutive man of the match awards now.

I don't think that I've seen that before.

Talei has won 3 consecutive hec motm award, that's the closest i can think of.

Having seen Cardiff a couple fo weeks ago at Murrayfield, and Glasgow's last two matches, this should be a mismatch.

Glasgow to win by 10-15 points.

screamingaddabs wrote:I'm looking forward to this one. The game last week was excellent, the complete opposite of the Leinster game earlier in the season which was possible the dullest game of rugby I've ever had the misfortune to attend.

Will Scotland players be available? If so which ones? I expect they will want the starting 15 to rest, but what about the bench players etc?

Agree it was shocking - made Sunday's 1st half look like a free scoring classic. Was it not played in driving sleet and snow though ?

Think we need Dunky back for this - kicking duties required wee man

That's true. Horne's kicking is nowhere close to what you require at this level.

Surely there's someone in the squad that can knock over a straight kick from inside the 22!!

I would imagine that players that only played a bit part on Sunday might be released back to the Warriors, ie Kellock, Hall, Welsh, Low, Weir, altho the props might be deemed too important to the national cause (even on the bench). Also if Weir gets the nod ahead of Rhubarb for Scotland, it might be best to wrap him in cotton wool too. I'd let Swinson have a break, possibly Ryan Wilson too, and if Weir is only going to be benching for Scotland, then Horne drops to the bench for me.

We shouldn't underestimate the Blues either - I want to see the Warriors firing on all cylinders again, and not taking anything for granted

I would not rest anyone, there is a 2 weeks break after this game, also i think Welsh will start at loosehead and Low at tighthead, gametime is important for props.

Blues can be dangerous but struggles up front hence their poor home record on their muddy pich.

I honestly think Pete Horne will get another go. He was not happy with himself on Friday after the game, but they need an extra option as Wight can't be trusted anymore. Wilson will probably stay on as captain, and Kellock might come onto the bench. Swinson or Ryder could see a rest, with either Campbell or Gray coming in. Doug Hall on the bench with Welsh, Gordy will be back too, stupid eejit concussed himself... (Love you really big man) Henry will probably bench as Niko is just wild... 5 in a row?

Interestingly the Messiah was taking kicks in the warmup on Friday night... Could be another option?

Aye saw that UiG - Pete Horne may have kicked from the tee like Stevie Wonder but his out field play was immense - line breaks passing all sublime. He confused the Ulster centres frequently - his kicking from tee bloody confused me right enough !

I personally don't think players are well equipped for Test match intensity if they just sit on the bench, so I'd look to give the Scotland bench players some rugby this weekend.

My Glasgow team for Cardiff:

1.Welsh 2.MacArthur 3.Low 4.Kellock 5.Swinson 6.Strauss 7.Barclay 8.Wilson 9.Pyrgos 10.Weir 11.DTH 12.Horne 13.Dunbar 14.Seymour 15.Murchie

16.Reid 17.A Random 18.Kalman 19.Ryder 20.Eddie 21.Matawalu 22.Bennett 23.Paris

Near first choice XV with plenty impact off the bench to exploit tired legs.

The Cardiff scrum was mince at Murrayfield incidentally, so make hay there. Beware Paterson at the lineout, a pest.

Doubt yiz can manage a slip up at home to Cardiff, but can you just lay off the bonus points? You're getting awful fond of them.

They're very moreish, Jenifer, very moreish.

If FES is right and we really do play a front row of Welsh, MacArthur and Low then with the greatest will in the world (and based upon previous this season) the Blues front row will spend the entire afternoon skidding backwards on their faces across the turf.

J McLB

just looking for a home semi final my friend - nothing personal dude.

If you get enough of them you can afford to lose to us and still stay ahead.

Or even catch the injury ravaged Ulster.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:J McLB

just looking for a home semi final my friend - nothing personal dude.

Likewise. Chances are we will play each other in the semis. We both would like not to have to travel

George Carlin wrote:They're very moreish, Jenifer, very moreish.

If FES is right and we really do play a front row of Welsh, MacArthur and Low then with the greatest will in the world (and based upon previous this season) the Blues front row will spend the entire afternoon skidding backwards on their faces across the turf.

I love that imagery GC... As a frontrower myself, it's one of the few pleasures in life to make your opponent feel utterly inadequate in the scrum... Welsh, Pat and Muzza will mince anything put in front of them....

Watched the extended Glasgow-Ulster highlights.

Horne could not kick for nuts - it was absolutely bewildering.

The last missed kick was absolutely horrible. I couldn't blame Toonie for demanding Weir comes back just to pop the goals over.

Glasgow Warriors XV v @Cardiff_blues: 15 Murchie, 14 McGuigan, 13 Dunbar, 12 Horne, 11 DTH, 10 Weir, 9 Matawalu 8 Wilson, 7 Barclay, 6 Strauss, 5 Kellock (capt), 4 Swinson, 3 Welsh, 2 MacArthur, 1 Reid

Any news on Welsh's contract? Would be disappointed if he doesn't re-sign/extend

Not heard mate - UiG is yer man on the inside right enough. But yes the big fella must/should sign up

Think they're waiting to see what terms he wants as he's just come back from a fairly long injury. That was the main reason he didn't have a contract sorted before now.

Good strong side that, C21st, good to see some of the Scotland bench boys getting game time too

Bench as well

16 Fraser Brown
17 Ofa Fainga'anuku
18 Moray Low
19 Tom Ryder
20 James Eddie
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Scott Wight
23 Graeme Morrison

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Think they're waiting to see what terms he wants as he's just come back from a fairly long injury. That was the main reason he didn't have a contract sorted before now.

Many thanks, UiG

Saw Dunky Meatloaf in my local last night - not drinking beer/wine/whisky - tucking into some pasta with someone who looked like his bro and 2 lovely ladies. Well done Wee Man !

Any Blues fans know when your team will be up?

Just seen that Pretorius is out for 4 months!

Aw feic, just seen that the ref is Clownshoes :-(

Ah good old Clancy... Still at least his assistants are competent!

Anyone know if the Blues intend to name their team at some point before the match?

15 Chris Czekaj 14 Owen Williams 13 Richard Smith 12 Gavin Evans (c) 11 Harry Robinson 10 Rhys Patchell 9 Alex Walker

8 Luke Hamilton 7 Josh Navidi 6 Rory Watts-Jones 5 James Down 4 Lou Reed 3 Benoit Bourrust 2 Kristian Dacey 1 Tafufa'ao Filise

16 Marc Breeze 17 Sam Hobbs 18 Tamba Petru 19 Maauley Cook 20 Thomas Young 21 Lloyd Williams 22 Gareth Davies 23 Cory Allen

Thanks gcBlues.

I see that you're after Filo Paulo - I hope that you get him.

Cory Allen

No disrespect, but Glasgow should be targetting a BP win here. They need to accumulate as many points as possible in the event of possibly losing their games in Ireland.

wales606 wrote:Cory Allen

Yep, he comes with a big reputation from the U20s. Looking forward to seeing what he's got.

George Carlin wrote:Looking forward to seeing what he's got.

Probably an arse full of splinters by the end of the game

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:I'm looking forward to this one. The game last week was excellent, the complete opposite of the Leinster game earlier in the season which was possible the dullest game of rugby I've ever had the misfortune to attend.

Will Scotland players be available? If so which ones? I expect they will want the starting 15 to rest, but what about the bench players etc?

Agree it was shocking - made Sunday's 1st half look like a free scoring classic. Was it not played in driving sleet and snow though ?

Must admit it wasn't exactly lovely weather, but that's not a good enough excuse for what was played that day. It was just about 1000 set pieces in a row really. When the ball was in open play it was just ruck, pass, make no yards, ruck, pass, make no yards....

I expect the game tomorrow to be excellent though. The team are playing really good rugby at the moment, not just winning but entertaining stuff too. I expect a good win against Cardiff (who have the same number of wins as Treviso this year).

gcBlues wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Looking forward to seeing what he's got.

Probably an arse full of splinters by the end of the game

screamingaddabs wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:I'm looking forward to this one. The game last week was excellent, the complete opposite of the Leinster game earlier in the season which was possible the dullest game of rugby I've ever had the misfortune to attend.

Will Scotland players be available? If so which ones? I expect they will want the starting 15 to rest, but what about the bench players etc?

Agree it was shocking - made Sunday's 1st half look like a free scoring classic. Was it not played in driving sleet and snow though ?

Must admit it wasn't exactly lovely weather, but that's not a good enough excuse for what was played that day. It was just about 1000 set pieces in a row really. When the ball was in open play it was just ruck, pass, make no yards, ruck, pass, make no yards....

I expect the game tomorrow to be excellent though. The team are playing really good rugby at the moment, not just winning but entertaining stuff too. I expect a good win against Cardiff (who have the same number of wins as Treviso this year).

---and we want a barnstorming performance from Wee Dunky, who could force his way into the Scotland team for a week on Saturday

Need to watch that idiot Wingnut Clancy - 2nd worst referee, after Barnes, in world rugby but c'mon The Warriors we need another win.

Mon the Weege!

Another game in which the Blues aren't televised, who have they peed off?

Blues lead at halftime 10 - 13

17 - 13 to Glasgow now

Scoreline surprising at 60 minutes, I was honestly expecting a thrashing - our away form is a lot better than our home form still then.

I guess there is still time for Glasgow to score 2 more tries for the BP, but the Blues could still win at 60 minutes which I wasn't expecting.