Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

A. Edinburgh
 

 
1. Pre-season
 
Fri 30 Aug 2013, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 15 - 5 Newcastle Falcons
 
Fri 23 Aug 2013, 19:30
Northampton Saints 24 - 6 Edinburgh Rugby
 
2. 2013/2014 Season - Played
 
Sat 7 Sep, 19:15
Munster Rugby 34 - 23 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 13 Newport Gwent Dragons
 
Sat 21 Sep, 18:30
Ospreys 44 - 10 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 9 - 22 Scarlets

Sun 6 Oct, 14:05
Cardiff Blues 29 - 12 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 25 Oct, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 20 - 13 Benetton Treviso

Fri 1 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 25 - 23 Zebre

Fri 22 Nov 19:05
Ulster Rugby 41 - 17 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 29 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 43 - 10 Connacht

3. 2013/2014 Season - Next 3 Games
 
Fri 20 Dec 19:35
Edinburgh Rugby v Leinster

Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby v Glasgow Warriors

Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh Rugby

B. Glasgow
 

 
1. Pre-season
 
Sat 31 Aug 2013, 15:00
Exeter Chiefs 26 - 29 Glasgow Warriors
 
2. 2013/2014 Season
 
Fri 6 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 22 - 15 Cardiff Blues
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:05
Ulster Rugby 12 - 13 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 20 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 12 - 6 Leinster Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:30
Zebre 17 - 24 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 5 Oct, 18:30
Scarlets 12 - 17 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 25 Oct, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 6 - 13 Munster Rugby

Sat 2 Nov, 17:00
Connacht Rugby 12 - 19 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 22 Nov, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 8 - 23 Newport Gwent Dragons

Fri 29 Nov, 19:05
Ospreys 16 - 28 Glasgow Warriors

3. 2013/2014 Season - Next 3 Games
 
Fri 20 Dec, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors   v   Benetton Treviso

Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby v Glasgow Warriors

Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh Rugby
 
Bearing in mind the above - what I'd like to know for each team is:
 
1. How is the season likely to go?
2. What are the teams' strengths?
3. What are the teams' weaknesses?
4. What can be done to improve matters for each team?
 
Any jingoism, sledging or graceless kicking of anyone whilst they are up or down will see posts deleted.
 
Be gracious and be constructive.

[jimbopip]

Beautiful family news, Jimbo.
My second due in Jan/Feb is a boy and it hasn't really sunk in yet that I'll be able to do all that stuff. That said, just my luck if he prefers Glee, Will & Grace and Project Runway to the beautiful game.

Taylor was probably p!ssed because he hadn't had the chance to stand on Henson's creosoted fizzog during the match.

George, you have so many good things to look forward to lucky man that you are. You reminded me that with Bigboy I took him to training too early and he hated it. Which is why when he started playing last season I was amazed. Kids inevitably find their own way in life, but if you hang around long enough they'll come back to you. Apparently Richie Gray loves Glee. But as Bigboy remarked, "He's a second row; bright lights, jazzy colours and happy songs it's made for him isn't it?"
p.s. Another operation for Coo- no playing till New Year.  

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Jimbo,

doubt we will see The Coo this season - unless you mean Clyde with UiG now a surgeon or something !!!!!!

[InjuredYetAgain]

Edinburgh lack leadership as well as ability. The ruck inspector may not be the best lock in Scotland but he does seem to know his stuff when it comes to leadership
Glasgow have looked good so far but I would be a wee bit concerned about the lack of real cutting edge. That will probably change when the Wee Fiji Weegie is back and Stuart Hogg has corrective surgery to attach his hands the right way round.
Glasgow 8/10 but bizarrely could do better
Edinburgh 2/10 and can only do better

[alexgmacdonald]

I think Glasgow have had a great start taking into account the different factors. Losing Al Kellock half an hour into game 1, no Matawalu and playing last years finalists. Also, Stuart Hogg not being in good form and us not being able to hit a barn door off the tee.

Positives: Jonmy Gray has been immense. Our defence. Ruaridh Jackson looks assured and confident. Chris Cusiter being back.

Negatives: cutting edge. Place kicking. Stuart Hogg's form.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I think Glasgow have had a great start taking into account the different factors. Losing Al Kellock half an hour into game 1, no Matawalu and playing last years finalists. Also, Stuart Hogg not being in good form and us not being able to hit a barn door off the tee.

Positives: Jonmy Gray has been immense. Our defence. Ruaridh Jackson looks assured and confident. Chris Cusiter being back.

Negatives: cutting edge. Place kicking. Stuart Hogg's form.

I think too much is being made of Hoggy not hitting the heights of last season - so far this year, he's done some things very well, and somethings that are below his usual high standards. He certainly hasn't become a bad lpayer overnight (and I know you didn't say that, alex g)

[RDW]

Breaking news - Edinburgh have signed a kiwi number 8 on a 2 year deal! Don't know who yet...

[Manky-Flanker]

How many more players do Edinburgh need? They already have 6 or 7 more players than Glasgow.

[RDW]

A more pertinent question us how many 'good' players do we have!

[nickj]

Well, well, well. I hope its a Blackadder esque, lead by example, ex international. Its probably not going to be, but we live in hope.

[RDW]

25 year old hawks bay captain Mike Coman.

Who??

[nickj]

Here's his Magpies biography:

MICHAEL COMAN

Position Loose Forward

Age 26

Club Napier Old Boys Marist

Height 1.92

Weight 109

Games 27

[RDW]

He's a big lad, but sounds like he's not played super XV?

[tigertattie]

covers 6 and 8 I think!

All we need now is a centre and I'll be happier.

Really need Edinburgh to drag themselves out of the rut they are in!

[George Carlin]

He's a big lad, but sounds like he's not played super XV?

Seems to be a fringe squad member for the Hurricaines. Weird - he's 25 but only seems to have been playing rugby for a club since 2009. Did he just have a lot of girlfriends or something?
 
Does that mean I need to cancel the "Welcome to Edinburgh Kieran Reid" T-shirt that I just ordered?

[RDW]

If he's sq it will be a lot better.

I really hope he's not the only reason lineen was in New Zealand...

[nickj]

Yeh. It would be a bit of a damp squib if its turns out to be the sole reason for Sean's wee trip

[Manky-Flanker]

the obligatory highlights clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ9prMpXK6c

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I don't really understand Embra's recruitment policy - my basic philosophy is home grown/Scots qualified, unless no one of sufficient quality, in which case pay up for a higher standard NSQ player that is going to make a difference - I don't see that pre- or post-Solomons recruitment falls into this category. Am I missing s/thing or being too harsh?

[RDW]

I think Du preez is a top quality signing asbo - he was one of the better players of the super XV this year I understand.

I agree with you on this guy though - he's basically playing at prem 1 standard in the nz 2n division. Surely Graham or McIver would have made a suitable squad player?

[RDW]

I also think blaauw will be a good signing - again he's got super rugby experience

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm not particularly inspired by this signing, and I'm still struggling with the decision of McInally to swap to hooker. I'm not sure this new signing or the Puma will add much more than Rambo.

Still, 6 and 8 were big problem positions for us and you can't accuse Solomons of not bringing in sufficient cover. Let's just hope he's signing the right people.

12 is not the biggest issue. NDL has never convinced me at 12. He can do a job, but he's much more effective at outside centre for Edinburgh. We sorely need Matt Scott back and fully fit.

[SGD prop]

I also think that Glasgow are better at developing players in the long term. For some reason allot of the Edinburgh players seem to have 1 good season then regress. Just look at the class players that players that have been developed by both clubs in the last 10 years
Edinburgh: Laidlaw, Ford, Denton, Visser (to an extent), Scott, Gilchrist, McKenzie, Jones (for one season), Brown (for 1 season) De Luca (with the borders)
Glasgow: Brown, Bettie, Barclay, Jackson, Hogg, Cusack, Reid, Grant, Welsh, Low, Murray (is he within the 10 years?), MacArther, Eddie, Harley, Fusaro, Horne, Pyrgos, Wier, Dunbar, Seymour, DTH?, Malawatu, Wilson, Grey, Lamont
I am sure that there can be others added but considering both have with similar resources and player potential Glasgow seem better at bringing them through. I want to see both developing players capable of playing for pro rugby to the highest standard instead of looking to buy good SH players and hoping they will be good enough in 3 years.
(by the way not against players qualifying through residency just never want to see the situation where we could have an all front row, back row and both wingers from other lands representing SCOTLND or we should just give up)

[Pat_Mustard]

Coman's highlights, which obviously have to be taken with a pinch of salt, contain a few big hits and a carrying style with plenty of pace and a knack of squirming through tackles.

If nothing else, his name guarantees a Barbarians appearance at some point!

I do hope he's Scottish qualified, each of Edinburgh's NSQ signings look justifiable individually but cumulatively it's getting a bit much! Could field a side including:

1 Blaauw
2 Lutui
3 Nel
4 Parker/Cox
5 van der Westhuizen
6 Coman/Basilaia
7 Leonardi
8 Du Preez

9 Leck
10 Francis

12 Atiga
13 Dominguez


a long way from a few seasons ago when they had only 1 NSQ player if i remember correctly!

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

If he is NSQ then surley must be the last Edinburgh can make till some leave. Overseas signings are crucial but getting a bit of a joke if you ask me, must about a dozen now in Edinburgh squad, that's about four too many.

[Tramptastic]

I reckon there's quite a few players we won't see at all this season that will be jettisoned by the end: Parker, Basilai, Atiga, Domingeuz, Leck just to name a few! The ones he is signing for more than a few months or a year he probably sees as replacing these guys with higher quality players!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Coman's highlights, which obviously have to be taken with a pinch of salt, contain a few big hits and a carrying style with plenty of pace and a knack of squirming through tackles.

If nothing else, his name guarantees a Barbarians appearance at some point!

I do hope he's Scottish qualified, each of Edinburgh's NSQ signings look justifiable individually but cumulatively it's getting a bit much! Could field a side including:

1 Blaauw
2 Lutui *
3 Nel
4 Parker */Cox *
5 van der Westhuizen
6 Coman/Basilaia
7 Leonardi *
8 Du Preez

9 Leck *
10 Francis *

12 Atiga *
13 Dominguez *


a long way from a few seasons ago when they had only 1 NSQ player if i remember correctly!

And some of these (*) are really quite poor players - makes you want to weep when guys like Gary Graham don't seem to get a look in

[Pat_Mustard]

Not so sure the likes of Lutui, Cox or Francis have been any worse than the supposedly higher calibre players in the squad. Haven't seen Leonardi or Dominguez play so will give them the benefit of the doubt. However you are probably correct that certain players from the Premiership have at least as much potential and I'd rather see more Scottish players given a chance. I am by no means against having a few NSQs in the squad. It is just getting to be too many now.

For me the performance problems are more about getting consistent, tough and hard-to-beat performances out of the team as a collective whole than any individual being low-quality.

[nickj]

I don't think you can blame Solomons for coming in, assessing what he's got and deciding to grab some of the available talent from his old team before they get snapped up by someone else. We have a large squad, but its a young squad and there are a fair few areas of weakness we needed to fill; there still is to an extent. I agree we need to watch our NSQ/ SQ balance, especially as we are one of only two pro teams in Scotland; and there must be an onus on Edinburgh and Glasgow to bring through young talent, like Gary Graham from the wider game but we also have to grasp the fact that we are at risk of being cast adrift by the rest of the European pro game and we cannot afford a completely dud year or two.

[Manky-Flanker]

Coman's highlights, which obviously have to be taken with a pinch of salt, contain a few big hits and a carrying style with plenty of pace and a knack of squirming through tackles.

If nothing else, his name guarantees a Barbarians appearance at some point!

I do hope he's Scottish qualified, each of Edinburgh's NSQ signings look justifiable individually but cumulatively it's getting a bit much! Could field a side including:

1 Blaauw
2 Lutui *
3 Nel
4 Parker */Cox *
5 van der Westhuizen
6 Coman/Basilaia
7 Leonardi *
8 Du Preez

9 Leck *
10 Francis *

12 Atiga *
13 Dominguez *


a long way from a few seasons ago when they had only 1 NSQ player if i remember correctly!

And some of these (*) are really quite poor players - makes you want to weep when guys like Gary Graham don't seem to get a look in

Just like Ryan Grant couldn't get a look in, likewise Sean Maitland couldn't get a look in. Also you have to wonder if Kennedy would be playing if he hadn't had his spell with Glasgow last season.

[Captain_Sensible]

The SRU have just put up a youtube video of Scott Johnson talking about the Autumn Tests - he specifically mentions the strong form of Bennett, Dunbar and J Gray.

No Embra players mentioned, surprisingly enough...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k52yqXy2-M

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm not surprised. At the moment the Scotland centres should feature a combination of Duncan Taylor, Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett. These are the guys playing well week in week out at the moment and accordingly should be selected. There's no gambling or guesswork involved anymore, these are the form players.

I know we're only three games in, but my Scotland squad for Japan would be:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Swinson 5.R Gray 6.Harley 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Dunbar 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.J Hamilton 20.Brown 21.Pyrgos 22.Heathcote 23.Taylor

I'm not picking players who haven't featured yet this season.

[Captain_Sensible]

I'm not surprised. At the moment the Scotland centres should feature a combination of Duncan Taylor, Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett. These are the guys playing well week in week out at the moment and accordingly should be selected. There's no gambling or guesswork involved anymore, these are the form players.

I know we're only three games in, but my Scotland squad for Japan would be:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Swinson 5.R Gray 6.Harley 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Dunbar 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.J Hamilton 20.Brown 21.Pyrgos 22.Heathcote 23.Taylor

I'm not picking players who haven't featured yet this season.

Hard to argue with that team at the moment, FES. Your entire squad is spot on, actually.

If we're picking a 'likely' XV for November, rather than a 'form' team now, I think there would be some changes. I'd be surprised if that backrow features as a unit. Brown will retain the captaincy, and will therefore be the first name on the team sheet. Barclay, Strokosch and Beattie will also be in with a shout. Harsh on Harley and Fusaro in particular. Harley might see action vs SA, we'll need his tackling to counter their forward carries around the fringes.

As for the backs I hope Scott and Weir come back from injury in good form, as I rate both higher than Heathcote and Taylor.

[Captain_Sensible]

I'm not surprised. At the moment the Scotland centres should feature a combination of Duncan Taylor, Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett. These are the guys playing well week in week out at the moment and accordingly should be selected. There's no gambling or guesswork involved anymore, these are the form players.

I know we're only three games in, but my Scotland squad for Japan would be:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Swinson 5.R Gray 6.Harley 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Dunbar 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.J Hamilton 20.Brown 21.Pyrgos 22.Heathcote 23.Taylor

I'm not picking players who haven't featured yet this season.

Actually, on reflection, I'd swap Ford for MacArthur, and maybe Gordon Reid for Dickinson.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I'm not surprised. At the moment the Scotland centres should feature a combination of Duncan Taylor, Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett. These are the guys playing well week in week out at the moment and accordingly should be selected. There's no gambling or guesswork involved anymore, these are the form players.

I know we're only three games in, but my Scotland squad for Japan would be:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Swinson 5.R Gray 6.Harley 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Dunbar 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.J Hamilton 20.Brown 21.Pyrgos 22.Heathcote 23.Taylor

I'm not picking players who haven't featured yet this season.

Can't see any Embra players getting picked at the moment, sorry, if we are picking purely on form. MacArthur ahead of Ford, Beattie ahead of Denton, and SLamont ahead of Visser. I'd probably remove Dickinson and Cross from the bench too

[Captain_Sensible]

I'm not surprised. At the moment the Scotland centres should feature a combination of Duncan Taylor, Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett. These are the guys playing well week in week out at the moment and accordingly should be selected. There's no gambling or guesswork involved anymore, these are the form players.

I know we're only three games in, but my Scotland squad for Japan would be:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Swinson 5.R Gray 6.Harley 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Dunbar 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.J Hamilton 20.Brown 21.Pyrgos 22.Heathcote 23.Taylor

I'm not picking players who haven't featured yet this season.

Can't see any Embra players getting picked at the moment, sorry, if we are picking purely on form.  MacArthur ahead of Ford, Beattie ahead of Denton, and SLamont ahead of Visser.  I'd probably remove Dickinson and Cross from the bench too

At this rate, there will be no Glasgow players actually left at Glasgow during November!

It's tough to get the right balance between 'form' and 'class'. For instance, I'd be reluctant to leave Laidlaw out of the team because he pretty much guarantees you a 100% place-kicking ratio. It's the same with Visser - S Lamont has played superbly in recent months, but give Visser an inch and he'll score a try. We can't afford to leave that kind of predator out of the team.

[funnyExiledScot]

Visser has two tries in two games. Whilst his allround game is an issue, he scores tries and Scotland needs that edge in attack. Imagine how many he'd have if he played for Glasgow - a fair few more than Lamont I'd wager.

Am fine re: switching Dickinson with Reid and MacArthur with Ford. On Dickinson that is possibly harsh. One of the few positives against Munster and the Dragons was the scrum, and Dickinson was prominent in the loose (as he always is). I've been impressed with Reid though, so no issues giving him a chance.

Haven't seen Beattie this season so went with Denton, who was ok against Munster and the Dragons (still haven't watched the Ospreys massacre).

[Captain_Sensible]

Visser has two tries in two games. Whilst his allround game is an issue, he scores tries and Scotland needs that edge in attack. Imagine how many he'd have if he played for Glasgow - a fair few more than Lamont I'd wager.

Am fine re: switching Dickinson with Reid and MacArthur with Ford. On Dickinson that is possibly harsh. One of the few positives against Munster and the Dragons was the scrum, and Dickinson was prominent in the loose (as he always is). I've been impressed with Reid though, so no issues giving him a chance.

Haven't seen Beattie this season so went with Denton, who was ok against Munster and the Dragons (still haven't watched the Ospreys massacre).

I wouldn't bother.

[George Carlin]

I'm not surprised. At the moment the Scotland centres should feature a combination of Duncan Taylor, Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett. These are the guys playing well week in week out at the moment and accordingly should be selected. There's no gambling or guesswork involved anymore, these are the form players.

I know we're only three games in, but my Scotland squad for Japan would be:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Swinson 5.R Gray 6.Harley 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Dunbar 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.J Hamilton 20.Brown 21.Pyrgos 22.Heathcote 23.Taylor

I'm not picking players who haven't featured yet this season.

 
Really warms me to see genuinely good players competing for the shirt. Absolutely superb that we need to specify which 'Gray' we are talking about at lock. A bench filled with quality. The seasons past where the bench was a source of fear now has form players like MacArthur and Taylor. Really great. I don't care whether its Glasgow or Edinburgh that gives us a source of optimism, as long as one of them does.
 
It is difficult to choose Edinburgh players but at the same time it's wrong to always err on the side of the player whose team is currently successful, tempting thought that is. That was Gatland's problem when selecting for the Lions. I would still choose Denton, for example, but he would have to be playing demonstrably better than Beattie.

[RDW]

Maitland hasn't played this season yet...

[funnyExiledScot]

Maitland hasn't played this season yet...

He's starting on Friday so I gave him some leeway. He's also really good......

[Captain_Sensible]

Maitland hasn't played this season yet...

He's starting on Friday so I gave him some leeway. He's also really good......

Have the Weedge released the teamsheet for Zebre?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Maitland hasn't played this season yet...

He's starting on Friday so I gave him some leeway. He's also really good......

... well at least in c21st's team!  

[funnyExiledScot]

Maitland hasn't played this season yet...

He's starting on Friday so I gave him some leeway. He's also really good......

... well at least in c21st's team!  

Ooops! I thought Glasgow had named the side.

Well, I've always suspected that C21st was Toonie anyway......

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Ya cheeky wee rascal ye !!!!!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Yes, I've always seen the pair o'them as inter-changeable!

[Notch]

See Alan Solomons continues to be busy in the transfer market. I was wondering whats the consensus on the composition of Edinburghs squad? Are people concerned about the increasingly cosmopolitan personnel in the capital sides ranks having a knock-on effect on Scotland?

[Solid8]

See Alan Solomons continues to be busy in the transfer market. I was wondering whats the consensus on the composition of Edinburghs squad? Are people concerned about the increasingly cosmopolitan personnel in the capital sides ranks having a knock-on effect on Scotland?

Tricky one (btw I'm an exile who follows both regions where possible). Edinburgh need strength in depth, that much is obvious but at the same time they need to make their wage bill work not only for them but also for the national team. If the aim of signing a NSQ player is to improve the strength in depth in areas that have a high attrition rate or where we have a limited number of options then I am all for it, especially if the effect of signing these players increases competition and prevents complacency (Mr Denton for example) it can only be a good thing. That said if they are recruiting empty shirts purely to spend the salary budget then it is potentially disastrous and I believe that the money should be diverted to finding and training young, up and coming players within Scotland.

Solomons has a good track record as a coach so I personally am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until I see otherwise, I cannot believe a coach with his track record would take the job if he was going to be given shoite signings by the blazers at SRU HQ.

[George Carlin]

Agreed Solid.
 
Notch - Grandpappy Solomons has said that he's going to cut away dead wood after a season. To do that he needs to have a basis for comparison and so if that's the exercise, I have no problem with him getting new people in now. This season is basically an audition piece for everyone. And it ought to be.
 
The hidden factor here is that it also helps Edinburgh as a team look ambitious and create competition and collegiality in the squad. Edinburgh's squad is the biggest in the league now, it has to be. Solomons knows that a lot of key players are on the last year of their contract and he has to demonstrate that the club is going places to keep them. And he should be worried - clubs will be wheeling trollies of cash round to Tim Visser and Matt Scotts' houses at the end of this season.
 
That said, some of Pappy's signings have clearly been made because they represented a chance to get an excellent player over to Scotland - most clubs would want Cornell du Preez, for example.
 
Ultimately, you have to trust in the Wisdom Of Solomons . The man has demonstrated over many years his ability to make silk purses out of sow's ears. No offence to Ulster.

[RDW]

Also worth noting guys that there's very few Scottish amateur players around able to step up, and some of our wish list Scottish players are already in contracts - Taylor, heathcoat, shiels etc

Our squad needs strengthened - in most cases the only option is foreign players. If they have a Scottish granny then added bonus!

[RDW]

In other news lutui has been banned for 2 weeks for a 'reckless yet unintentional' tackle.

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