The Rabbo Preview 2013/2014 - Scottish Sides

First topic message reminder :

Glagow:

Last Season: 3rd Place

Transfers in 2013/14 (5 in total): Richie Vernon, Tyron Holmes, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Gabriel Ascarate, Will Bordill (unconfirmed)

Transfers out 2013/14 (6 out in total): John Barclay, Nick Campbell, Ofa Fainga’anuku, Taylor Paris, Graeme Morrison, Rory Lamont

Players likely to feature less due to International commitments: Grant (Scotland Prop), Kellock (Scotland Lock), Lamont (Scotland Centre/Wing), Maitland (Scotland Wing) Hogg (Scotland Full Back) Duncan Weir (Scotland Fly Half)

Probable Starting Lineup(during international windows & rest periods):
1.  Welsh  2. Hall  3. Low   4. Ryder   5. Harley   6. Vernon  
7. Holmes/Fusaro    8.  Wilson  9. Matawalu  10. Jackson   11.  Dunbar  12. Bennett  13.  Horne  14. Van der Merwe   15.  Murchie/Ascarate

Comments:  Showed brilliant form last season.  Barclay may be a big loss to them as Holmes will have his work cut out for him.  That said, this team has quality throughout even without its internationals.  Matawalu was a standout performer last season and one of the best scrum halves on show.  Scoring tries is not a problem for Glasgow and I don’t expect that to be a problem for them this term either.  If anything they are likely to be even stronger this season as they brought so many players through last term.  They play an attractive brand of rugby and it’s good to see a Scottish side challenging for honours.    

Prediction: 2nd – I don’t expect Glasgow to slip up for a home playoff like they did last term.  There is no doubt this team will grow and take performance up a notch.  If there is to be a Scottish name on the Rabbo title it’s likely to be Glasgow.

Edinburgh:

Last Season: 10th Place

Transfers in 2013/14 (4 in total): Nikki Walker, Jack Cuthbert, Aleki Lutui, Alasdair Dickinson

Transfers out 2013/14 (8 out in total): Richie Rees, Netani Talei, Sep Visser, Mike Penn, Andy Titterrell, Allan Jacobsen, James King, Steven Turnbull

Players likely to feature less due to International commitments: Ford (Scotland Hooker) Denton (Scotland Backrow) Laidlaw (Scotland Scrum Half) Visser (Scotland Wing) De Luca (Scotland Centre)

Probable Starting Lineup(during international windows & rest periods):
1.  Yapp  2. Lawrie  3. Cross   4. Gilchrist   5. Parker   6. Cox  
7. Rennie    8.  Basilaia  9. Leck 10. Scott   11.  Walker  12. Cairns 13.  Atiga  14. Jones   15.  Tonks/Cuthbert

Comments:  With a big increase in available budget Edinburgh should be a top 6 side.  Sadly money is not an over riding factor as the Cardiff Blues found out a couple of seasons back.  They do contribute a fair number to international duty but the standard of the remaining players is lacking in certain positions.  9 & 10 look a bit week on paper to me and while the backline this season could be useful its hard to see the 2nd choice 9/10’s releasing them.  Edinburgh seem to have a solid enough platform with the forward not shirking often but again the real issue in the pack when the internationals are away, there are not enough ball carriers to make their mark.      

Prediction: 9th – I can see Edinburgh improving from last season’s 10th position but not by much.  This probably is a combination of a lack of quality in certain areas as well as the strength of other teams squads and recruitment.  The new coach will probably be given time to stamp his mark on the team and readjust his squad and replace under performing players with better players with the money available.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'd not idea that Schizoid was a scrum half......

You have (or ever will have) no idea how funny this is fES    

Thanks Schizoid. I often wonder whether I'm as hilarious as I think I am. It's nice to get confirmation every now and then.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'd not idea that Schizoid was a scrum half......

You have (or ever will have) no idea how funny this is fES    

Thanks Schizoid. I often wonder whether I'm as hilarious as I think I am. It's nice to get confirmation every now and then.

Confirmation from the weagie in the straight jacket is no confirmation at all.  

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Welsh Mushroom - big shout for the effort.
 
Edinburgh XV:
1. Torquil
2. Cameron
3. Findlay
4. Farquar
5. Angus
6. Robertson
7. Denholm
8. Laughlan
 
9. Smyth
10. Smith
11. Xander
12. Xanadu
13. Adair
14. FES
15. IBD
 
Glasgow XV:
1. Begbie
2. Rents
3. Dougie
4. Eck
5. Shuggie
6. Moistie
7. Broonie
8. Tam
 
9. Parole Number 289847763
10. Psycho
11. Wee Malkie
12. Big Malkie
13. Killer
14. Bamstick
15. Bawbag

GC,

your Embra XV is forenames only surely?

Your Glasgow XV needs a Fung (Feckin Ugly New Guy) maybe as 20.  Also Helmet Head at 16.    Dobber at 17 too perhaps?   And also no self-respecting Weegie 23 could be without a Dagger Man!!!!    Guesting from the leafy West End Charles Chumley-Murgatroyd,ex GA too, at 22 !   

Also GC maybe your repacement scrummy should be Wee Fud at 19 ?