Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread IV

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Historical Banter:

https://www.606v2.com/t48240-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread
https://www.606v2.com/t51313-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ii
https://www.606v2.com/t53119-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iii

A new thread for the 2014/5 season.

A. Edinburgh Rugby


1. Coaching Team

Alan Solomons - head coach
Stevie Scott -  assistant coach
Omar Mouneimne - assistant coach

2. Players In

Neil Cochrane from London Wasps
John Andress from Worcester Warriors
Rory Sutherland from Gala RFC
Tom Heathcote from Bath Rugby
Michael Tait from Newcastle Falcons
Fraser McKenzie from Newcastle Falcons
Phil Burleigh from the Highlanders
Anton Bresler from the Sharks
Brett Thompson from USA 7s

3. Players Out

Steven Lawrie retired
Alun Walker released
Alex Allan to Glasgow Warriors
Geoff Cross to London Irish
Lewis Niven released
Sean Cox to London Irish
Robert McAlpine released
Perry Parker to Rotherham Titans
Izak van der Westhuizen released
Ross Rennie to Bristol Rugby
Dimitri Basilaia released
Alex Black released
Greig Laidlaw to Gloucester Rugby
Chris Leck released
Piers Francis released
Gregor Hunter released
Harry Leonard to Leeds Carnegie
Ben Atiga retired
Ben Cairns retired
Nick De Luca to Biarritz Olympique
Lee Jones released
Aleki Lutui to Gloucester Rugby

4. Pre-season Fixtures

Leicester Tigers v Edinburgh
Saturday 23 August, 14:00
Welford Road

Edinburgh v Newcastle Falcons
Friday 29 August, 19:45
Mansfield Park, Hawick

B. Glasgow Warriors


1. Coaching Team

Gregor Townsend – Head Coach
Shade Munro – Forwards Coach
Matt Taylor – Defence Coach

2. Players In

Alex Allan from Edinburgh
Murray McConnell from Ayr RFC
Euan Murray from Worcester Warriors
James Downey from Munster
Rossouw de Klerk from the Cheetahs

3. Players Out

Moray Low to Exeter Chiefs
Chris Cusiter to Sale Sharks
Ruaridh Jackson to London Wasps
Ed Kalman retired
Byron McGuigan released
Finlay Gillies released
Scott Wight to Melrose RFC
Gabriel Ascárate released
Folau Niua released
Carlin Isles to USA 7s

4. Pre-season Fixtures

Glasgow Warriors v Harlequins
Saturday 23 August, 14:30
Scotstoun Stadium

London Scottish v Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 30 August, 15:00
Richmond Athletic Ground

[RDW]

Shonky? That's a new one!

It's a technical engineering term. You wouldn't understand.

Better note that for my professional review....

[RDW]

Maybe we should christen Leonardi-Du Preez-Coman the 'manatees'? It sounds a bit like the 'Killer Bees' but a bit sh*tter, fatter and slower...

  

  

[funnyExiledScot]

I reckon that could catch on!

[RDW]

Also worth remembering that Solomons sees McKenzie as a backup 6 too.

If he's at 6 and someone like Hamish Watson is 7, it isn't too much of a disaster, although far from ideal, but if anyone else is there the pack will have no pace or athleticism.

Too often last year the tactics were just to keep running into the opposition and hoping you eventually get somewhere, which we rarely did.  We need something a bit more adventurous than that!

[George Carlin]

It is mad that there are excellent young loose forwards like Ashe, Spinks and Bordill who would love the chance to start league games and Edinburgh looks likely to field an entirely NSQ loose trio in the first couple of matches.   
 
This paparazzo snap was taken of an SRU representative leaving an Edinburgh recruitment strategy meeting last week:

[lostinwales]

It is mad that there are excellent young loose forwards like Ashe, Spinks and Bordill who would love the chance to start league games and Edinburgh looks likely to field an entirely NSQ loose trio in the first couple of matches.   
 
This paparazzo snap was taken of an SRU representative leaving an Edinburgh recruitment strategy meeting last week:

This forward is very small, that one is a long way away.....

[IanBru]

"Those women were in the nip!!"

[funnyExiledScot]

"It's a Spider Baby Ted! Body of a spider, mind of a baby!"

[RDW]

[George Carlin]

"Well, Ted, as I said last time, it won't happen again."

[tigertattie]

"I want loads of matador stuff"

[IanBru]

"Do you remember that bit when St. Tibulus, he tried to take that banana off the other lad?"
"That wasn't a banana, Dougal."

[RDW]

To try to get this back onto rugby (sort of):

Father Jack - 21st Schitz when he's old?

[justified sinner]

Back on rugby. I'm pretty worried about Edinburgh's back row options, we seem to have Du Preez, Roddy and Leonardi fit, after that it's Watson and Jamie Ritchie. Hope I'm missing someone, but that looks a bit thin for the start of the season.

[RDW]

Back on rugby. I'm pretty worried about Edinburgh's back row options, we seem to have Du Preez, Roddy and Leonardi fit, after that it's Watson and Jamie Ritchie. Hope I'm missing someone, but that looks a bit thin for the start of the season.

Mike 'the leader' Coman.

Or Coman people.

This was discussed on here recently - we all share your concerns!

[nickj]

Dents is out for 3 months. Pretty bad tear then

[justified sinner]

Back on rugby. I'm pretty worried about Edinburgh's back row options, we seem to have Du Preez, Roddy and Leonardi fit, after that it's Watson and Jamie Ritchie. Hope I'm missing someone, but that looks a bit thin for the start of the season.

Mike 'the leader' Coman.

Or Coman people.

This was discussed on here recently - we all share your concerns!

Sorry missed that discussion. Thought Coman was injured as well and unlikely to make the start of the season?

[RDW]

Good point!

Put mcinally back in the back row...

[nickj]

I agree. If McInally doesn't start at 2 for a hefty portion of games this season (especially during the internationals) what's the point in the move?

Surely both the player and the SRU (Scott Johnson) will start having second thoughts, if they haven't already?

As things stand we've lost a starting quality club back row forward and potential international and gained another average hooker, who's not starting any games for his club or country.

Brown and Bryce are a similar age and are already making the senior squad - admittedly without much club game time / if any. Fundamentally hookers need game time, alongside gym prep.

Btw I see the 'shonky' website's been updated. Are we being spied on? RDW are you moonlighting as the Edinburgh website editor, 606v2 admin and a rugby playing civil engineer?

[funnyExiledScot]

I think it's inevitable that Fraser McKenzie will end up being used at 6, out of position. That will allow the Toolis brothers a shot at the bench, with Bresler and Gilchrist at lock. I think we'll end up with a pretty hefty and slow pack at times next season, so I wouldn't hold your breath for expansive rugby. It would be nice with such a big pack to have a proper break away openside specialist. Perhaps someone with international experience, Scots qualified and with pace and decent handling ability. Can anyone think of a player to fit that profile??

If McInally isn't getting regular pro rugby at hooker during the first half of the season then the move can only be considered a big mistake, both for himself and for Edinburgh. Hilterbrand doesn't look anything special, and neither do Cochrane (is he still with us??) and Turner, so Ford should be first choice with McInally on the bench. We need to just give him a shot and see how it goes.

[RDW]

Bresler hasn't arrived yet, and also has a rib injury, so will probably miss the start too! Gilchrist did the whole summer tour so I'd be surprised if he's about at the start.


Starting to look a bit threadbare in the back 5 for the start of the season...

[George Carlin]

Tis indeed madder than the proverbial box of hair that Tooney has Fozzy, Sherlock, Bordill and Spinks all sitting around drinking tea and Edinburgh shipped their best openside to play Championship rugby in Clifton just as he was regaining fitness. But what to do? Incidentally, Coman People is clearly visible on the Arthur's Seat Run video, so perhaps he's not all that bad.
 
Apparently Glasgow are bringing out a new kit this month. Hopefully with less minging duck egg blue in it. Innit.

[funnyExiledScot]

Tis indeed madder than the proverbial box of hair that Tooney has Fozzy, Sherlock, Bordill and Spinks all sitting around drinking tea and Edinburgh shipped their best openside to play Championship rugby in Clifton just as he was regaining fitness. But what to do? Incidentally, Coman People is clearly visible on the Arthur's Seat Run video, so perhaps he's not all that bad.
 
Apparently Glasgow are bringing out a new kit this month. Hopefully with less minging duck egg blue in it. Innit.

Perhaps Glasgow can make something pleasant out of those tasty Commonwealth Games shirts.

I don't get the impression Solomons is that fussed about resting players, so I'd expect Gilchrist and Bresler, rib injury or not, to go straight in. I haven't heard that Coman is out, and there's nothing on the Edinburgh website mentioning it, so I suspect his leadership skills will be winning us lots of turnovers from the start if the season.

I am concerned about our back row options. Strokosch, Rennie and Du Preez would seem a far better option to me!

[RDW]

Thought I'd summarise the latest injuries (feel free to pass on updates):

Denton - out for 3 months.  Likely return date late October

Matt Scott - out for 6 months.  likely return date December

Tom Brown - out for a few months. Likely return date late October.

Jack Cuthbert - out for a few months. Likely return date late September.

Mike Coman - out for a few months. Likely return date September.

WP Nel - out for a few months. Likely return date September.

Allan Dell - out for 3 months.  Likely return date October.

Wicus Blaauw - unknown - groin injury apparently

Grayson Hart - unknown - dislocated elbow

Anton Bresler - not arrived yet, and Rib injury.  Likely out for another month.

Minor niggles - Cochrane (bone bruising), Gilchrist (ankle), Dickinson (quad)

Hurly - not got a visa yet

[George Carlin]

Tis indeed madder than the proverbial box of hair that Tooney has Fozzy, Sherlock, Bordill and Spinks all sitting around drinking tea and Edinburgh shipped their best openside to play Championship rugby in Clifton just as he was regaining fitness. But what to do? Incidentally, Coman People is clearly visible on the Arthur's Seat Run video, so perhaps he's not all that bad.
 
Apparently Glasgow are bringing out a new kit this month. Hopefully with less minging duck egg blue in it. Innit.

Perhaps Glasgow can make something pleasant out of those tasty Commonwealth Games shirts.

I don't get the impression Solomons is that fussed about resting players, so I'd expect Gilchrist and Bresler, rib injury or not, to go straight in. I haven't heard that Coman is out, and there's nothing on the Edinburgh website mentioning it, so I suspect his leadership skills will be winning us lots of turnovers from the start if the season.

I am concerned about our back row options. Strokosch, Rennie Justin Bieber, Alan Carr and Du Preez would seem a far better option to me!

Harsh, but fair.

[RDW]

So making the conservative assumption that all of the above noted people will be unavailable, and that it will be too soon for Grant and Gilchrist, for the first game against Munster, that would leave us a team like:

1 - Berghan
2 - Ford
3 - Andress
4 - McKenzie
5 - Toolis
6 - Leonardi
7 - Watson
8 - Du Preez

9 - S-H-C
10 - Heathcoat/Tonks
11 - Visser
12 - Strauss
13 - Beard
14 - Fife
16 - Tonks/Bezzy

Subs - ?, McInally, McQuillan, Toolis, Ritchie, Kennedy, McLennan, Ferndale

Give or take a few selection preferences.

I bet Munster will be quaking in their boots...

[VinceWLB]

I thought Berghan was a tighthead? so that would leave Edinburgh with Sutherland only at loosehad, can we get Allan back on a loan please?
Also surely Atkins will be ahead of the Toolis in the pecking order.

Doesn't look that bad and remember Munster are likely to be rusty/missing Irish internationals but no more injuries in pre season games please.

[RDW]

Berghan was announced as covering both.

Forgot about Atkins - that helps!

[funnyExiledScot]

Jeez - Munster will be terrified.

Berghan is a tighthead, but I suspect would be forced to switch sides so that we have a professional player, and not some kid, starting against Munster away from home.

Strauss and Beard at centre. Terrifying.

[VinceWLB]

Didn't know Berghan was able to cover loosehead, he looks very big it's hard for me imagining him comfortable there, then again Sheridan made his whole career there!
Re the centre combination, Burleigh can't come soon enough.

[RDW]

Allan Dell was also announced as covering both, but he definitely doesn't look like a tighthead!

Berghan is definitely a tighthead but if Dickinson, Blauuw and Dell are out he might have to.

[George Carlin]

How the smeg can we have an injury crisis? The season hasn't started yet.

[GLove39]

Right, its nothing to do with Edinburgh & Glasgow, (at least it better not) but since this is the muster point for all Scots on here, tomorrow afternoon at half 1 the SRU will announce where the Tongan match is to be played...
If it's not Pittodrie there'll be hell to pay!   
I think I speak for all of Aberdeen, when I say that after the last game, we need closure

[tigertattie]

bet ya it gets played in perth!

[funnyExiledScot]

It should be Pittodrie. The Aberdonians need something to do in those cold winter months!

[George Carlin]

Besides, the only way we tend to beat South Sea Islanders these days is to distract them with ginger people (sorry Graham) whilst simultenously freezing them to the spot.

[tigertattie]

I'm still gutted about Matt Scott (12)

Will we ever get a whole season out of him?

[funnyExiledScot]

I know - it's becoming worrying. Whatever he needs to do to get back to full fitness needs to happen. He'll need to be fully fit in time for the 6 Nations and play those 5 games to get him fully firing for the World Cup.

In the AIs it should be Alex Dunbar moving to inside centre and Mark Bennett at 13. I don't see Duncan Taylor as an international centre and I'd like to see Peter Horne return to form before playing international rugby again. He wasn't really ready when forced to play in the summer.

[GLove39]

No worries George, anything to help the team out. Think that was the the issue with the Tonga match, I wasn't close enough to the pitch for my luminous locks to have an impact...

[GLove39]

Also, the SRU just tweeted this

Afternoon all. We're in Kilmarnock for a major announcement. Details at 1.30pm

  

[cakeordeath]

Also, the SRU just tweeted this

Afternoon all. We're in Kilmarnock for a major announcement. Details at 1.30pm

  

Why the Frak would you pick Kilmarnock. If you are going west coast surely Glasgow.

[RDW]

I bet these Tongans think Scotland is a right dump - they only get to see places like Aberdeen and Kilmarnock!

  

[GLove39]

Don't kick a man when he's down RDW   

[GLove39]

Turns out this is how the SRU picked Kilmarnock as a venue...

[RDW]

Do you reckon they chose it because it has 'rugby' in the venue title?

Also I see that it is an artificial pitch - are we talking high school astro here, or Allianz Park 4G pitch?

I've played rugby on the Murrayfield '4G' pitch - ripped my skin to pieces! Still got the scars 3 years later!

[funnyExiledScot]

This is an utterly baffling decision and completely stupid. Why on earth take an international rugby match to Kilmarnock?? What can possibly be the reason for this??

The SRU should just make their strategy clear. They've given up on rugby north of Edinburgh and Glasgow. End of.

[George Carlin]

I bet these Tongans think Scotland is a right dump - they only get to see places like Aberdeen and Kilmarnock!

  

  I passed my driving test in Kilmarnock. Which qualified me nicely afterwards for a local drive-by shooting or ramraiding an offie.

[George Carlin]

It's official, then:
https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam/status/497727507643506688/photo/1
 
Can I say that I hope Rugby Park now is a hell of a lot better than it was when I watched Killie there 15 years ago. I think that the latrine swimming scene from Trainspotting was filmed in the gents on the west stand. Fragrant.

[funnyExiledScot]

Unlucky North of Scotland. Maybe you'll get to see professional rugby again in 2016.

[RDW]

I'm being harsh on Aberdeen, but it must be difficult having to drive through Dundee any time they are heading home from the south...

 

[Sponsored content]