Edinburgh V Dragons

First topic message reminder :

Edinburgh Rugby V Newport Gwent Dragons
 
Friday 13th September 2013, KO 19:45
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
 
Referee: [TBC]
Assistant Referees: [TBC]
Citing Commissioner: [TBC]
TMO: [TBC]
 
 
A. Teams:
 
Edinburgh 

15 Greig Tonks

14 Nikki Walker

13 Dougie Fife

12 Nick De Luca

11 Tim Visser



10 Harry Leonard

9 Sean Kennedy



1 Alasdair Dickinson

2 Ross Ford CAPTAIN

3 Willem Nel

4 Grant Gilchrist

5 Izak van der Westhuizen

6 Dimitri Basilaia

7 Roddy Grant

8 David Denton



Substitutes

16 Aleki Luitui

17 Wicus Blaauw

18 Geoff Cross

19 Sean Cox

20 Hamish Watson

21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

22 Michael Tait

23 Jack Cuthbert
 
Dragons 

Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T.Rhys Thomas (c), Dan Way, Adam Jones, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.
 
B. Form - head to head:
 
22 Played 22
8 Wins 13
1 Draws 1
45 Tries 49
36 Conversions 30
43 Penalties 46
0 Drop Goals 3
426 Points 452
25 Avg. Age 25
 
C. Form - last season:
 
Dragons 32 - Edinburgh 12
 
Edinburgh 31 - Dragons 24

RDW, you're implying that those who have read the posts are any less confused?

RDW_Scotland wrote:The more likely scenario is when Meatball is fit again they give us Wight. 

I'd still take Wight over shifting Laidlaw back to 10.

In other news, Sam Chalmers is banned for 2 years. He took a product to try to gain weight, that had two banned substances. Some damming reading!

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/13/09/13/anti-doping-violation

RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Sam Chalmers is banned for 2 years.  He took a product to try to gain weight, that had two banned substances.  Some damming reading!

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/13/09/13/anti-doping-violation

Such I shame. I can recommend any number of products which achieve this effect that do not include banned substanced. The Pret ham and cheese croissant being a particular favourite......

The sports suppliments market is pretty dodgy - you take a massive risk if you chose a product from a random company off the internet. Usually best to stick with well known companies but even then you don't know what's inside them.

RDW_Scotland wrote:In other news, Sam Chalmers is banned for 2 years.  He took a product to try to gain weight, that had two banned substances.  Some damming reading!

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/13/09/13/anti-doping-violation

he should have stuck with pies and black puddin rolls!

erse!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:That's worrying news. Especially if it means Laidlaw has to move to 10.

A couple of 10/12 would be good - no point getting two specialist 10s

Also - no journeymen please. That might be wishful thinking at this stage of the season though.

if we really have a 10 crisis then this is a great test of how bold Solomons and the SRU is willing to be in recruitment. If they need an experienced general, then I would love to see Demetri Catrakilis dropped in there from Solomons' old team. I know he's'under contract to WP but could be bought out.

If Heathcote clearly looks set to be marginalised at Barf then offering him starts every week must look very attractive right now. Are players Heineken Cup-tied to clubs yet? That would have to be a huge bearing on whom you would choose.

Now the Super season and Rugby Championship are nearing close, how much would it cost to ge Matt Toomua over here on loan for a season?

Heathcote would be an excellent recruit from a Scotland and Edinburgh perspective. I suspect Bath would want to keep him though. It's only a matter of time before Henson disgraces himself in public or opts to miss the Christmas fixtures in order to perform Panto, and George Ford can't play every game.

A loan of Finn Russell could be an option. Glasgow have Jackson, Weir and Wight in addition to Russell, whereas Edinburgh only have Leonard. Seems like a good opportunity for Russell to get some rugby. The worst outcome for me is that Laidlaw moves back to 10.

FES old bean, I've been saying this since Heathcote's debut for Scotland.  Regardless of if Francis regains fitness, I think he is just a crud standoff.  I want Heathcote up here as I can see him doing some good things for us in the future but he needs regular rugby and playing in scotland and learning our way of doing things would do him no harm also!

We just need a blazer at Murrayfield to finally read our posts and see the sense in what we are saying!

I'm fairly sure the Heathcoat ship has sailed now the season has started.  Barf aren't going to let him go and only have two 10s left - bearing in mind one of them is Henson.

I think Heathcoat's contract is up this season - that is the time to get him.

With that in mind, if we do sign someone average Joe to get us through this season it has to be on a one year deal - forward thinking please SRU!!!

I'm sure as we speak a blazer at the SRU is typing up a contract for our new standoff http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/picturegalleries/8762508/In-pictures-Rugby-World-Cups-most-extreme-players.html?image=2 Now yes the caption says he's a centre, but I'm reliably informed he can also play standoff / scrumhalf.
Reckon this guy would have a big future at Edinburgh..!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Was he sin-binned in Northampton's opening league game, or did I imagine it?

He was, a late, no arms challenge on our centre, Jason Shoemark - leopards and spots

That guy makes Andrew Turnbull look like tall! He'll make ginger midget Roddy Grant look like Michael Jordan by comparison!

munkian wrote: 

Dragons Team to face Edinburgh
Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T.Rhys Thomas (c), Dan Way, Adam Jones, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Francisco Chaparro, Rob Sidoli, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Ross Wardle

Why is NWQ number eight Netani Talei starting in front of WQ number eights like Toby Faletau and Ieuan Jones?  

Also, why are there NWQ players on the Dragons bench?  

Why is NWQ tighthead Francisco Chaparro on the bench ahead of a WQ tighthead like Nathan Buck?  

and

Why is NWQ fly-half Kris Burton on the bench ahead of a WQ fly-half like Lewis Robling?

Am I to take it that you only want Welsh players playing for the Welsh regions....I'm sure there was a more concise way of making that point if so!

international197 wrote:

munkian wrote: 

Dragons Team to face Edinburgh
Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T.Rhys Thomas (c), Dan Way, Adam Jones, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Francisco Chaparro, Rob Sidoli, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Ross Wardle

Why is NWQ number eight Netani Talei starting in front of WQ number eights like Toby Faletau and Ieuan Jones?  

Also, why are there NWQ players on the Dragons bench?  

Why is NWQ tighthead Francisco Chaparro on the bench ahead of a WQ tighthead like Nathan Buck?  

and

Why is NWQ fly-half Kris Burton on the bench ahead of a WQ fly-half like Lewis Robling?

Dragons are really the wrong team to take this out on, we have regularly fielded an all Welsh qualified team on many occassions - are the other regions really any better ?

Its the 2nd game of the season with new coaching setup, hes rotating what limited squad we have. Toby is on the bench as he has been rested post Lions tour. Pretty sure Robling is injured

We play more young welsh players than others but need the odd experienced NWQ player to steady the ship - rant at someone else eh ?

Edinburgh and Dragons are both pretty decent citizens in that regard. Only three NSQs in the Edinburgh starting XV, and of those three, one of them (Nel) will hopefully be getting his kilt on in a couple of seasons.....

And we are starting ONE NWQ player. Not exactly Toulon are we ? What an angry man

Maybe he just wanted to use lots of smileys...

Well, mission accomplished, party at his Mum's house then

Yes Robling is injured. Still, it was worth the backwards and pretty narrow minded rant that he is often keen on.

Yeah, international 197 has a massive problem with NWQ players. Check out some of the scarlet threads, not a happy bunny when one is in the match day 23 and then proceeds to list just about every player throughout the west wales rugby who could be selected instead regardless of ability or experience, just because they are WQ.

Zebre leading Munster 18-9 at halftime  

Good to hear we are wearing our blue and black kit tonight. Massive fan of it.

Gutted for Nic Cudd, but get the Talei 6, Toby 8 combo I guess. Hope Cudd is ok for next week.

11-3 then with the conversion to come. Boo and hiss.

international197 wrote:

munkian wrote: 

Dragons Team to face Edinburgh
Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T.Rhys Thomas (c), Dan Way, Adam Jones, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Francisco Chaparro, Rob Sidoli, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Ross Wardle

Why is NWQ number eight Netani Talei starting in front of WQ number eights like Toby Faletau and Ieuan Jones?  

Also, why are there NWQ players on the Dragons bench?  

Why is NWQ tighthead Francisco Chaparro on the bench ahead of a WQ tighthead like Nathan Buck?  

and

Why is NWQ fly-half Kris Burton on the bench ahead of a WQ fly-half like Lewis Robling?

Isn't there a lamppost you should be shouting at?

@EdinburghRugby: (16-13) FT @harryleonard2 slots the winning penalty, final kick of the game!  

Yesss!!!! Nice one Leonard!! Good job Edinburgh, wins a win and by god do we need them this season! Visser on his way to being 5 time top try scorer as well.

Good night for Scottish rugby, two last minute victories.

Fair play, Edinburghites. (What's the opposite of Weegie? Squeegie?) I'll wait to hear reports of how we played, but after the last few seasons where we've lost full stop with no losing bonus point, that point is progress of sorts.

Congrats Embra. Sounds like Burton made a bit of an error at the end with a kick that went dead? Gutted. I assume it was the dropout from your apparent 50m DG attempt.

Ah well, two games, five points. Good start and a vast improvement on the corresponding games from last season.

Shame the game was not on BBC/Alba tv, well done both teams, close, looks like we could have a good RABO this year.

I think so, Alun. Scarlets - Treviso tomorrow should be interesting.

Yeah it was from the dropout (and resulting scrum) that went long that Embra gained their pen. That's a little bit of a choker for us.

Well done Harry Leonard! Pleased with the result as well.

Just back from the game, poor game with a lot of aimless kicking however it did become a better game in the second half. Denton and talie were standouts for both teams, edinburgh seemed to play a lot better when Leonard stood flat and passed but lacked a spark in the centre. The dragons pack was poor and weak compared to edinburgh but I thought they looked good while moving the ball.


And I am glad to see visser still has crap hands but gets on the scoresheet so I don't care!

Craig, thanks for the match report. It's interesting that you mention aimless kicking - that was one of the worrying aspects of our game against Ulster, our willingness just to hoof it, and infield as well.

After how bad last season was I ain't gonna complain or say anything about what players played well and those who didn't blah blah blah.

Its a WIN well done lads now onto the next game.

Good on you, Ally.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

international197 wrote:

munkian wrote: 

Dragons Team to face Edinburgh
Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T.Rhys Thomas (c), Dan Way, Adam Jones, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Francisco Chaparro, Rob Sidoli, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Ross Wardle

Why is NWQ number eight Netani Talei starting in front of WQ number eights like Toby Faletau and Ieuan Jones?  

Also, why are there NWQ players on the Dragons bench?  

Why is NWQ tighthead Francisco Chaparro on the bench ahead of a WQ tighthead like Nathan Buck?  

and

Why is NWQ fly-half Kris Burton on the bench ahead of a WQ fly-half like Lewis Robling?

Isn't there a lamppost you should be shouting at?

Guys you just have to learn to ignore him, don't give him the satisfaction of a bite. It's just pathetic what he says.

After last season I am happy with a losing bp away from home

Well done MFL. Two or three of these four point thingummies and you'll start to feel like a real rugby team. Then we'll loan you Scott Wight and you'll be back to square zero.

international197 wrote:

munkian wrote: 

Dragons Team to face Edinburgh
Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T.Rhys Thomas (c), Dan Way, Adam Jones, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Francisco Chaparro, Rob Sidoli, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Ross Wardle

Why is NWQ number eight Netani Talei starting in front of WQ number eights like Toby Faletau and Ieuan Jones?  

Also, why are there NWQ players on the Dragons bench?  

Why is NWQ tighthead Francisco Chaparro on the bench ahead of a WQ tighthead like Nathan Buck?  

and

Why is NWQ fly-half Kris Burton on the bench ahead of a WQ fly-half like Lewis Robling?

Because the coaches felt that, for this game, the players he chose were the better players to do the job he wanted to do. And that, my friend, is sport.

Pleasing to hear we were dominant in the scrum - WP Nel is definitely coming good!

Good to see Denton having another good game. I'm hoping its the solomons effect and he wasn't just wanting to up his game against talei.

If Leonard can okay flat, with matt Scott back to health we could see the ball getting to visser more.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Pleasing to hear we were dominant in the scrum - WP Nel is definitely coming good!

Yeah and decent looseheads helps too, good power coming from the locks too, Cross should also benefit from the new rules.

That said, i don't see a worse scrummaging team than the Dragons this year, Blues could give them a good run for their money but they have strenghtened their scrum with Rees and Jenkins.

Pretty gutting to lose by a penalty kick in the last minute. At least both teams seem to have improved upon last years horror show of a season.

Well done Edinburgh. I think that's the first time we've beaten the Dragons in the last five attempts. It's definitely Pimms o'clock in the Old Town at the moment.

George Carlin wrote:Well done Edinburgh. I think that's the first time we've beaten the Dragons in the last five attempts. It's definitely Pimms o'clock in the Old Town at the moment.

Nah you had us at the end of last season, so you're on a run of two games now  

How did Blaauw do when he came on? He contributed to the scrum demolition job at the end so must be a decent scrummager.