Edinburgh v Glasgow The 1872 Cup Saturday 2nd January 2021

Edinburgh v Glasgow
The 1872 Cup Second leg (First leg postponed)

Saturday 2nd January 2021
BT Murrayfield Stadium
Edinburgh

KO 15.00

Live on Premier Sport


Well it is going to be a one legged cup competition this holiday season for the Scots, with the Scotstoun leg having been postponed already. It will also feel strange as this is traditionally one of the few club games at Murrayfield that attracts a crowd to do it justice.

Consequently both sides will have had a bit of a break, Glasgow, hopefully just in time to find some form and Edinburgh, hopeful that they won't lose theirs!

These games rarely go to any kind of form in any case and the lack of a crowd may well make it even more of a lottery. Still bragging rights, old scores and the ability to impress Toonie will still be there. With not much going on in the league for either team and no chance of making any progress under the fprmat this year, maybe the shckles might come off a bit and we could get a decent game, something these fixtures rarely are.

I am going for a Glasgow side something along these lines, everyone has had a rest, so no reason not to go full in, they can rest players for the dead rubbers coming up in the euro qualifiers:


1. Keeble
2. Brown
3. Fagerson Z
4. Cummings
5. McDonald
6. Harley
7. Gordon
8. Fagerson M
9. Price
10. Horne P
11. Jones L
12. Johnson
13. Jones H
14. Seymour
15. Bryce

Subs:
Seuili
Turner
Pieretto
Gray R
Nakarawa
Dobie
Thompson
Grigg

Naks we may see coming on in the back row. Huw Jones may move to either wing or FB at some stage as well.

I guess we will see?

Will leave the Edinburgh team up to the Luvies on here!

A very good looking side there, Gee. I think I'd prefer Shug starting at 15; Bryce seems to have perfected the cunning ploy of scanning the field till he sees the nearest opposition player and then running straight into him. Sadly, this does not discombobulate defences as much as it bamboozles his team mates. Squiggsy will probably start at 13. Also, I think Ratu may well be in the 23.
Also, no place for the Player Of The Month? I think Batman and Matt F will both start in the back row: Big Bad at 6 or Mullett at 7?

6. Batman v Mbawza
7. Mullett v Hamish
8. Matt F v some random fat bloke
Could be good. Mind, DW might start Big Gray and Cummings with McDonald and Naks on the bench.

I was so excited about the pictures of Naks and RG training that I forgot all about Batman.

Seeing as it is Edinburgh and they will need someone to wind them up, he will surely be in there somewhere!

Really hard to know how this will go as there's not much form from either team coming into this, and both have had a week off.

I can't see it being a classic as both teams desperately need a win so am expecting a kick fest!

To soon for Naks apparently according to DW, but maybe not for RG. Seymour also still injured.

Fraser Brown out for a while with a neck injury, may miss start of 6N.

So much for my team, looks like Brown, Naks and the soon to depart Bryce all unlikley to play.

BigGee wrote:To soon for Naks apparently according to DW, but maybe not for RG. Seymour also still injured.

Fraser Brown out for a while with a neck injury, may miss start of 6N.

So much for my team, looks like Brown, Naks and the soon to depart Bryce all unlikley to play.

You're useless Gee Why do we keep you around?

So, Fitter& to start and the try fest that is Mesu Dolokoto to come on and score a late hat-trick.
I think if Old Gray is fit to start he does and McDonald comes on when he is cream crackered.
Tangive and Seaman are probably our best wingers in terms of defending but Seaman is still under the nurse so probably the Selkirk Pixie.
The Luvvies main threat is on the wings so we'll be looking at centres who can stop the ball going wide. A good aggressive defending 13? Shug at full back then. Which only leaves Squiggsy.

Mon the Warriors.

Glasgow Team, Take 2:


1. Keeble
2. Turner
3. Fagerson Z
4. Cummings
5. Harley
6. Wilson
7. Gordon
8. Fagerson M
9. Price
10. Horne P
11. Jones L
12. Johnson
13. Grigg
14. Tagive
15. Jones H

Subs:
Seuili
Dolokoto
Pieretto
Gray R
Ione
Dobie
Thompson
Smith/McLean - time we saw one of the youngsters

Pretty much agree with that, Gee, though I would be tempted to start with Old Gray; if he isn't up to the pace of the game yet we can replace him but if we bring him on and then find he's struggling we're stuck with him. Also, I think McDonald is a better second row thabn BBB.

jimbopip wrote:Pretty much agree with that, Gee, though I would be tempted to start with Old Gray; if he isn't up to the pace of the game yet we can replace him but if we bring him on and then find he's struggling we're stuck with him. Also, I think McDonald is a better second row thabn BBB.

Don't disagree about BBB and McDonald in the row, you do just feel that you have got to have Harley in their somewhere I guess!

With Big Bad it's almost Stockholm Syndrome. He's big, nasty, intellectually imposing and we can't imagine existing without him.
Can't wait till he's head coach.

BigGee wrote:Glasgow Team, Take 2:


1. Keeble Sue Ellen
2. Turner
3. Fagerson Z
4. Cummings
5. Harley Old Gray
6. Wilson
7. Gordon
8. Fagerson M
9. Price
10. Horne P Brandon
11. Jones L
12. Johnson
13. Grigg
14. Tagive
15. Jones H

Subs:
SeuiliThornton!!!
DolokotoJonny Matthis
Pieretto
Gray R Squaddie
Ione
Dobie
Thompson Ross Thompson!!!!
Smith/McLean - time we saw one of the youngsters Or we could stick with a 15 who's offski in a couple of weeks.

Well, Gee it looks like you and me are manning the fort all alone.
With the exception of Brandon T, who could rival Boris for over promising and under delivering (nah no one could rival the Fat Adulterer for that) that's a pretty good side. The bench looks as flimsy as a B&Q self assembly bookcase but their probably all we have. Still feels like a Luvvie win today.

Yes, was working all day yesterday, only checking in briefly to see the tesm out.

Not overly inspired but with our injuries and Covid call offs probably about the bedt we could hope for.

Am hoping to see Ross Thompson get a good 20 off the bench to see whst he is made of!

RG looks as sharp as he has been since he has comer back

A decent game so far

Edinburgh take a scrum penalty then make a mess of it

Well Edinburgh would be 6 or 9 points up if they had kicked these penalties!

Great defensive from Glasgow, who are making the dominant tackles

Edinburgh still don't look like they could score in a brothel

And we ask ourselves again, why is Shuggy not playing for Scotland?

Can BT lay the ghost of Newport?

No he can't, misses another sitter!!!

That is why Edinburgh need a better 12, that was an awful pass from Dean to Watson

That is why Edinburgh need a better 12, that was an awful pass from Dean to Watson

Well a riveting nil nil at HT

Not a massive amount to say really

Interesting, rather than exciting so far. But not sure how Edinburgh aren't getting pinged for their lineout - doubt one has been straight yet!

From a Glasgow perspective, highlights are the form of RG, who looks a decent rugby player again and a fabulous run and break from Huw Jones and some very robust defence

Hard to think of any positives for Edinburgh, who have messed up chance after chance

Bit depressing to think that this is the cream of Scottish rugby and a glimpse of worse to come when the English and French pick off Duhan, Hamish and Jones etc.

Two hookers who can’t throw, a fly half who couldn’t kick his own a*rse, a scrum half whose pass could be measured on a sundial.

Drab fare

Thoughts so far:
Edinburgh's back plays seem to involve pick and gos from the halfway line.
That said, Bennett still looks better than Harris.
Glasgow, scrum issues aside, have looked the far more physical side... weirdly
Cummings is still the number 1 SR in Scotland
Huw Jones has definitely done something to upset Mrs Toonie
Weir wouldn't have missed that... Pretty sure Ragnar wouldn't have either

RG picking off the Edinburgh lineout at will

BigGee wrote:RG picking off the Edinburgh lineout at will

He's putting himself in the window for the 6Ns. Cummings, Gray, Gray and Toolis look like good options. Certainly no problems in those positions!

To be fair, not exactly difficult to pick off McInally’s darts

Dollar Bill wrote:To be fair, not exactly difficult to pick off McInally’s darts

He did not even have to jump for one of them!

Best set of the game from Glasgow

Edinburgh finally go for goal

3-0 Edinburgh

Edinburgh score from a Glasgow howler, another poor pass from Thompson

Bradbury lucky he did not knock that on!

10-0 Edinburgh

Glasgow should get BT off

BigGee wrote:Edinburgh score from a Glasgow howler, another poor pass from Thompson

Bradbury lucky he did not knock that on!

10-0 Edinburgh

Glasgow should get BT off

Wow, we're finally seeing a young player in a glasgow shirt.

Ross Thompson is on now, he looks pretty lightweight

Glasgow get a consolation score

10-7 Edinburgh

BigGee wrote:Ross Thompson is on now, he looks pretty lightweight

Well his passing was better than Thomsons was!

and that's it, a better game in the last 20 mins and Edinburgh take the points.

Well done Edinburgh, the strength of the bench got you over the line I think, but the lack of cutting edge will remain a worry.

Glasgow did better than I thought to be honest, we look like we are a playmaker away from being a decent side. Brandon Thompson however, is never going to be that man.

NeilyBroon wrote:

BigGee wrote:Ross Thompson is on now, he looks pretty lightweight

Well his passing was better than Thomsons was!

I think he and Thornton did ok, RT needs a bit of conditioning though if he is going to play at this level. Hopefully both will get some more game time next friday.

Brief thoughts:
Luvvies front row , very impressive, Nel had Sue Ellen with both feet off the ground at one scrum.

Gray-Cummings were both well ahead of their opposite number.
Back rows pretty much cancelled each other out.
Henners was competent but won't be picking up any more Scotland caps. Aldi Price will hope the Lions tour is cancelled to save him being disappointed.
VDW see Henners above.
BT this has to be his last chance!
Centres all probably made more tackles than metres gained with ball in hand.
Back threes : Luvvies on starvation rations, Blairhorn was miles behind Shug, .
A tight, physical, defences on top match.

80 odd minutes we’ll never get back...

Tackling and endeavour should be a given, but precious little else on display.

Not sure what Townsend learns there

- Richie Gray is tall?
- Stuart McInally can’t throw?
- Hamish Watson tackles?
- Henry Pyrgos is slow?

BigGee wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:

BigGee wrote:Ross Thompson is on now, he looks pretty lightweight

Well his passing was better than Thomsons was!

I think he and Thornton did ok, RT needs a bit of conditioning though if he is going to play at this level. Hopefully both will get some more game time next friday.

Aye he does look like he could do with a few steaks. That being said if he turns out to be a decent option, he could be 5'0" and I'd be happy!

Classic derby. 0-0 up until 60 mins then probably the ugliest try ever followed by a good try response by Glasgow. BT will being having nightmares over that miss he had, absolute shocker. Didn’t play too badly otherwise. I thought Gray, Mish and Jones did well.

I swapped over to Gloucester vs Sale and saw Harris link up with Zammit for a wonderful try. Harris is clearly first choice 13 at the moment.

Dollar Bill wrote:80 odd minutes we’ll never get back...

Tackling and endeavour should be a given, but precious little else on display.

Not sure what Townsend learns there

- Richie Gray is tall?
- Stuart McInally can’t throw?
- Hamish Watson tackles?
- Henry Pyrgos  is slow?

He will have seen a few things he will be happy about.

RG still looks like an international second row, he is an incredible athlete, his first game back in months and he was right up to speed. There has been a fair bit of sniping about him signing for Glasgow, but if he stays fit, he will be well worth it and could still do a job for Scotland. He is only 31 and could easily go the rest of this WC cycle.

Mark Bennett got MoM largely for his defence, not always felt to be his great strength. If he can defend like that added to what we know he can do in attack, then he will be in the conversation as well.

Turner chucked one loose one at the beginning and cost Glasgow a promising attacking position, but afterwards he was very solid and I think hit Gray and cummings every time afterwards. His throwing and the occasional rush of blood is what is holding him back. With Brown now out for the 6N, he is going to be pushing for the starting spot, particularly if McInally cvarries on having the yips.

Nel seems to be like a good bottle of St Emillion and just improves with age, he is still going to still be in the Scotland mix for now.

Huw Jones is surely (at least) our second best FB just now and Hoggy has a dodgy hammy. Kinghorn surely just needs to play some consistent club rugby and try and refined his form.

bsando wrote:Classic derby. 0-0 up until 60 mins then probably the ugliest try ever followed by a good try response by Glasgow. BT will being having nightmares over that miss he had, absolute shocker. Didn’t play too badly otherwise. I thought Gray, Mish and Jones did well.

I swapped over to Gloucester vs Sale and saw Harris link up with Zammit for a wonderful try. Harris is clearly first choice 13 at the moment.

You can say what you like about Harris, but he plays well in attack and defence, week in week out. It is really no surprise that Toonie keeps picking him. It will be his shirt until someone puts in the performance to take it off him and no-one seems to be able to do that.

Gee! Nel is not a St Emillion.
He is a stout. Or a Wee Heavy.

jimbopip wrote: Gee! Nel is not a St Emillion.
He is a stout. Or a Wee Heavy.

Not sure I'd fancy a 35 year old pint of heavy!

If you were at a match with Schiz and Asbo you'd drink what you were given and like it.

I wonder if we start with The House Elf at 9 next week and Furra Linee at 10.

jimbopip wrote:If you were at a match with Schiz and Asbo you'd drink what you were given and like it.

I wonder if we start with The House Elf at 9 next week and Furra Linee at 10.

Hard to see price starting next friday, then the following two weeks in Europe, so yes, maybe Dobie will get the chance to show his wares.

Horne senior is more of a no brainer if he is fit, it is if he is not that is more of an issue. The choice between a mentally shot FH, who was likely never that great in the first place against a very green youngster with 15 mins of Pro rugby on his CV is not something that fills me, nor no doubt DW, with any enthusiasm whatsoever. I would like to see Ross Thompson get some more game time for sure, but it would be throwing him to the wolves to expect him to start any of these games.

BigGee wrote:

bsando wrote:Classic derby. 0-0 up until 60 mins then probably the ugliest try ever followed by a good try response by Glasgow. BT will being having nightmares over that miss he had, absolute shocker. Didn’t play too badly otherwise. I thought Gray, Mish and Jones did well.

I swapped over to Gloucester vs Sale and saw Harris link up with Zammit for a wonderful try. Harris is clearly first choice 13 at the moment.

You can say what you like about Harris, but he plays well in attack and defence, week in week out. It is really no surprise that Toonie keeps picking him. It will be his shirt until someone puts in the performance to take it off him and no-one seems to be able to do that.

Just giving this a bit of perspective, Harris has looked good today in a team that is now bottom of the Premiership. Admittedly I didn't see the game.
He previously got praise at Newcastle for his performances, and they were relegated.
I think that perhaps he could be 'looking good' in poor teams? Which, doesn't necessarily make him good or even our best choice??
Just because a Ford Escort stands out in a race against bumper cars, doesn't mean it'll be any good in a race against Ferraris.

I'm guessing that's not a game worth watching back then!

On Ross Thomson - I know him through his dad and he's really very small in pro rugby terms. I've not seen him in a couple of years but there's only so much conditioning you can do on a small frame. Pretty brave of him to be competing against these monsters!