Glasgow Warriors vs Scarlets - build-up, teams and live match-day thread

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

First topic message reminder :

Looking forward to round 2 of the Rabo, and hoping that there'll be a big improvement from the Warriors in their first match at the new home at Scotstoun. It certainly won't be an easy task as Scarlets looked in very good shape against (an understrength) Leinster.

Potential team:

15.Murchie - with Hogg and Ramont still unavailable, not sure that we've got a choice here; did ok vs Ulster
14.Seymour - probably our best back against Ulster; showed plenty of hunger, YC was silly tho
13.DTH - we need this guy in the XV, we also need a 13, he plays there for Canada
12.Dunbar - pace, step hands, brain - all things Morrison doesn't have
11.Samont - time to put one over your former colleagues
10.Weir - still the man in possession, just, as Jackson looked better when he came on
9.Cusiter - upped the pace of the game considerably when he came on, heavy-strapping on thigh is of concern tho

8.Wilson - not at his rampaging best, needs a big game to cement shirt else it might go to Ma'afu when her recovers
7.Barclay - looked to have his mojo back, Fusaro unlucky to miss out
6.Harley - nb
5.Kellock - hopefully he's fine, lineout was a shambles without him
4.Ryder - needs to up his game, too quiet last week, place could be under threat from Swinson on his return or even Campbell now
3.Low - seemed solid in the scrum, does a lot more than Cusack around the pitch
2.MAcarthur - if fit, Gillies if not
1.Grant - Reid has improved, but is not the same class as Ryan G who gave Afoa a tough time when he came on

16.Gillies - Hall if MacArthur unfit
17.Reid - nobody else
18.Cusack - Kalman still injured?
19.Campbell - we need proper lock cover
20.Eddie
21.Pyrgos - where is Matawalu?
22.Jackson
23.Horne

[funnyExiledScot]

And on to other comments.

1. That newspaper article has a GLARING MISTAKE. Points to whoever spots it.

The reference to Llanelli....

[George Carlin]

Aaagh its LOSE not LOOSE.

Lose = to mislay something, to fail to win

Loose = the opposite to tight

Sorry for the outburst but its genuinely the 4th time Ive seen this on the forum this morning.

Stag/Lynne Truss, I think you mean that "it's" the fourth time that "I've" seen this on the forum.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Aaagh its LOSE not LOOSE.

Lose = to mislay something, to fail to win

Loose = the opposite to tight

Sorry for the outburst but its genuinely the 4th time Ive seen this on the forum this morning.

Stag/Lynne Truss, I think you mean that "it's" the fourth time that "I've" seen this on the forum.

[Manky-Flanker]

This is of course why it's slightly annoying to see Seymour discarded. When a winger is on form you do not drop that winger.

Maybe he is paying the price for his sin-binning last week, Ulster scored their first try over in the corner where Seymour would have otherwise been defending.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Amazed that people are surprised that Townsend will always pick Morrison. He will be under instruction to from imbecile HQ ( ) in Edinburgh. Same as Bradley is told to pick NDL !!! C'est la meme chose mes amies !

[Guest]

And on to other comments.

1. That newspaper article has a GLARING MISTAKE. Points to whoever spots it.

The reference to Llanelli....

Correct! Virtual (or indeed any drink of your choice) for you

[George Carlin]

Amazed that people are surprised that Townsend will always pick Morrison. He will be under instruction to from imbecile HQ ( ) in Edinburgh. Same as Bradley is told to pick NDL !!! C'est la meme chose mes amies !

Schizoid! Where have you been? We checked every hospital. Nothing.

[overlordofthewest]

This is a crucial game for both sides. Glasgow need to get the ball rolling and will be well up for this. New place, fresh start and try to make a fortress. Glasgow hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Scarlets over recent years and Glasgow will look to get the big men on and intimidate us up front.
The Scarlets need to prove their win wasn't just taking advantage of a weakened team. We haven't lost in the pro 12 for a few games and want to prove we can be contenders. We'll be expecting a tight game and will look to break out quickly when we get the chance. Our backrow may not be the biggest but they're effective and mobile, if they can link well with the backs then we'll have a good shot at a win.

Should be close one, hope it's not all about penalties as we'll probably lose that battle.

[Scot Abroad]

I was under the impression that Toonie didn't rate Morrison. Looks like I'm being proven wrong. Dunbar is a far more effective 12 than Morrison will ever be. If he sticks with the donkey the wide men will struggle to touch the ball. I'd rather see Nathan in there at 12 than Morrison

[Smirnoffpriest]

Glasgow team announced - Glasgow team: Peter Murchie, DTH van der Merwe, Alex Dunbar, Graeme Morrison, Sean Lamont, Ruaridh Jackson, Chris Cusiter, Ryan Grant, Pat MacArthur, Moray Low, Tom Ryder, Al Kellock, Rob Harley, John Barclay, Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: Finlay Gillies, Dougie Hall, Mike Cusack, Gordon Reid, James Eddie, Chris Fusaro, Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir, Peter Horne, Byron McGuigan, Tommy Seymour.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19488522

[Smirnoffpriest]

Looks like ASBOS pack was spot on - though looks like he was hoping too hard that Morrison wouldn't make the team, and Ruaridh is in as well

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Priest, it should be, I got it from the weegie offy site!

Looking forward to this game immensely - its going to be a real test of character for Glasgow, there'll be a lot of pressure on Glasgow to win their first game at Scotstoun and to show the effect of their increased spending to their home crowd. Two losses to start would be far from ideal for any team, particularly against two teams with whom they would be hoping to be in playoff contention come the business end of the season

[TJ1]

Oh FFS - Morrison and Jackson. Are they intending to stamp creativity out of the scots players?

[ScarletSpiderman]

15 Liam Williams,
14 George North,
13 Jonathan Davies,
12 Scott Williams,
11 Andy Fenby
10 Rhys Priestland,
9 Tavis Knoyle,

1 Rhodri Jones,
2 Matthew Rees,
3 Deacon Manu,
4 George Earle,
5 Richard Kelly,
6 Aaron Shingler,
7 Johnathan Edwards,
8 Rob McCusker (capt)

Replacements:
Ken Owens,
Phil John,
Peter Edwards,
Sione Timani,
Kieran Murphy,
Gareth Davies,
Aled Thomas,
Adam Warren.

[ScarletSpiderman]

From a Scarlets point of view, it is a stronger backline than last weekend (foxy and priestland added). And the pack is more or less the same, but we will most likely not be wanting too many lineouts with Smiler starting.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Oh FFS - Morrison and Jackson. Are they intending to stamp creativity out of the scots players?

Morrison I get, as I said he is a Flair vaccum, but Jackson did look much better than Weir with the ball in hand against Ulster and I have always said offered more in an attacking sense.

Weir is much better from the Boot but thanks to Morrison is made to look like Parks MkII. He showed with Matt Scott at 12 against the Saxons that he is a creative 10 who can be a threat to the opposition with the ball in hand!

Finally Schiz is back! Leave the straight jacket at the door mate!

[cp10]

Amazed that people are surprised that Townsend will always pick Morrison. He will be under instruction to from imbecile HQ ( ) in Edinburgh. Same as Bradley is told to pick NDL !!! C'est la meme chose mes amies !

Why wouldn't Bradley play NDL... ?? Just cause you don't like him ( )? He plays well for us and we're happy for him to be in the team.

[Guest]

Good Scarlets side, although will be interesting to see how Rhys P goes in defence, Aled T was excellent there last week.

It's a v good bench as well for cover/impact subs.

Happy with that! roll on tomorrow

[SubsBench]

Is Turnbull injured or is it tactical? Don't remember him taking a knock on Saturday (plenty of knock ons mind!)
Only concern with Edwards is his penalty count.

Really like the bench for impact players.

[Guest]

I beleive both Maule and Turnbull are injured.

Know what you mean about Edwards but he did behave himself against LW so we'll see....

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

15 Liam Williams,
14 George North,
13 Jonathan Davies,
12 Scott Williams,
11 Andy Fenby
10 Rhys Priestland,
9 Tavis Knoyle,

1 Rhodri Jones,
2 Matthew Rees,
3 Deacon Manu,
4 George Earle,
5 Richard Kelly,
6 Aaron Shingler,
7 Johnathan Edwards,
8 Rob McCusker (capt)

Replacements:
Ken Owens,
Phil John,
Peter Edwards,
Sione Timani,
Kieran Murphy,
Gareth Davies,
Aled Thomas,
Adam Warren.

Looks weak

[funnyExiledScot]

Who the hell is George North??

We'll take this crowd to the cleaners....

[Guest]

He's a wisp of a lad FES, skinny as hell, if tis a windy night up in Glasgow he'll get blown over....

[RuggerRadge2611]

Aye I have never heard of this North lad? Is he a good player?

[funnyExiledScot]

With a name like that perhaps he's really Scottish.....like Shingler....

[ScarletSpiderman]

I beleive both Maule and Turnbull are injured.

Know what you mean about Edwards but he did behave himself against LW so we'll see....

Turnbull gave more pens away than normal last time out, so Jonny Eds shouldn't be any worse.

[George Carlin]

Apparently North is remarkably similar to Dewey.

Except, you know, younger. Faster. With better handling. And can pass.

And score tries occasionally.

Apart from those things, the similarities are frightening.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Apparently North is remarkably similar to Dewey.

Except, you know, younger. Faster. With better handling. And can pass.

And score tries occasionally.

Apart from those things, the similarities are frightening.

A few seasons ago we had Lamont Vrs Dewey on the wing, and Dewey Vrs North. But now we are going to see Lamont Vrs North. That should be interesting.

[funnyExiledScot]

It'll be interesting provided North gives Lamont a 10 metre head start each time they chase for the ball......

[RuggerRadge2611]

Lamont is a fantastic tackler but North is incredible. He is so big and strong I can't imagine Sean Lamont (on the wrong side of 30) will be able to compete with North's athleticism and strength.

[George Carlin]

Harley or Ryder switched to wing then.

Sorted. What could possibly go wrong?

Yours,
M.Lievremont

[ScarletSpiderman]

Lamont is a fantastic tackler but North is incredible. He is so big and strong I can't imagine Sean Lamont (on the wrong side of 30) will be able to compete with North's athleticism and strength.

But he knows North, and has trained with him etc. Probably knows what buttons to push etc, after all Lamont ain't dull.

[gowales]

Lamont is a fantastic tackler but North is incredible. He is so big and strong I can't imagine Sean Lamont (on the wrong side of 30) will be able to compete with North's athleticism and strength.

I remember Lamont doing a pretty good job of smashing some of the giant Fijians a few years back

[RuggerRadge2611]

Lamont is a fantastic tackler but North is incredible. He is so big and strong I can't imagine Sean Lamont (on the wrong side of 30) will be able to compete with North's athleticism and strength.

I remember Lamont doing a pretty good job of smashing some of the giant Fijians a few years back

But that was so very long ago!

I can imagine a player of Lamont's experience whill have had a hand in mentoring a youngster like North..... with a bit of luck Lamont's years at Scarlets will give him some knowlege of what to expect.

Having Said that for all the faults with Morrison and the ammount of stick I gave him, I'm happy to have him out there to try and shackle the meaty Scarlets backs.

[George Carlin]

I don't think that Sean will be wheeling out his zimmer and iron lung onto the Scotstoun turf just yet. He is perfectly capable of bringing down Georgy boy and can handle the biff better than any Scottish wing with the possible exception of McVisser.

More to the point, as Horne and Ioane proved recently, North can be double-teamed as effectively as any player.

Am more worried about Jackson's goalkicking continuing to be flakier than a croissant factory.

[George Carlin]

Glasgow bench:

16 Dougie Hall
17 Mike Cusack
18 Gordon Reid
19 James Eddie
20 Chris Fusaro
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Duncan Weir
23 Peter Horne

looks reasonable.

Disappointed with Jedi last week - the big chap needs to get with the programme.

Reid seems to be in favour with Toonie - good game time for the big feller.

Hopefully Fozzy can rampage in the last 25-30.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Aye George not too bad there - Pyrgos needs to get it together after his 1st half shocker last week in Belfast and wee Dunky too who was no too braw !!!

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

I still don't know why they don't have Nick Campbell on the bench... Jedi isn't a lock and the lineouts went to pieces last week when Al went off!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I still don't know why they don't have Nick Campbell on the bench... Jedi isn't a lock and the lineouts went to pieces last week when Al went off!

Ulsterman, couldn't agree more - Campbell needs to be involved, he's not that far behind Gilchrist imo, and Jedi for all his enthusiasm is no lock/lock cover

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Glasgow bench:

16 Dougie Hall
17 Mike Cusack
18 Gordon Reid
19 James Eddie
20 Chris Fusaro
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Duncan Weir
23 Peter Horne

looks reasonable.

Disappointed with Jedi last week - the big chap needs to get with the programme.

Reid seems to be in favour with Toonie - good game time for the big feller.

Hopefully Fozzy can rampage in the last 25-30.

With Welsh and Kalman both still out injured, I'm not sure that there's an alternative to big Gordy Reid, don't think that George Hunter is ready yet

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

I still don't know why they don't have Nick Campbell on the bench... Jedi isn't a lock and the lineouts went to pieces last week when Al went off!

Ulsterman, couldn't agree more - Campbell needs to be involved, he's not that far behind Gilchrist imo, and Jedi for all his enthusiasm is no lock/lock cover

Yeah and he's only really coming back from that knee injury that had him out for most of the year!

As far as I know Nick is playing with Ayr this weekend...

[funnyExiledScot]

Campbell should certainly be involved, a proper beefy lock with loads of potential.

Reid has promise - loads of bulk. Still young, but has the raw materials to progress.

[Smirnoffpriest]

15 Liam Williams,
14 George North,
13 Jonathan Davies,
12 Scott Williams,
11 Andy Fenby
10 Rhys Priestland,
9 Tavis Knoyle,

1 Rhodri Jones,
2 Matthew Rees,
3 Deacon Manu,
4 George Earle,
5 Richard Kelly,
6 Aaron Shingler,
7 Johnathan Edwards,
8 Rob McCusker (capt)

Replacements:
Ken Owens,
Phil John,
Peter Edwards,
Sione Timani,
Kieran Murphy,
Gareth Davies,
Aled Thomas,
Adam Warren.

Good to see the earle/kelly partnership given another chance. Interesting that rees is in over owen, but hardly a weak choice, just hope his throwing is better.

Am worried about edwards penalty count, and thought turnbull was harshly penalised against leinster, hopefully that wont happen against glasgow.

[maestegmafia]

How did Scarlets line out go last week?

[ScarletSpiderman]

15 Liam Williams.......

Good to see the earle/kelly partnership given another chance. Interesting that rees is in over owen, but hardly a weak choice, just hope his throwing is better.

Am worried about edwards penalty count, and thought turnbull was harshly penalised against leinster, hopefully that wont happen against glasgow.

Being a pain in the rear here mate, but Owen is the centre/flyhalf/fullback we signed from the Ospreys and Owens is the hooker from Carmarthen. People getting the two names the wrong way round is a real pet hate (i have an 's' at the end you see).

I think having Smiler and Edwards should give us a bit more sevens style running in the forwards, that said we will lose out a bit in the set peice and breakdown (maybe).

[ScarletSpiderman]

How did Scarlets line out go last week?

I worked really well, then Matthew Rees came on and it faultered.

[Smirnoffpriest]

15 Liam Williams.......

Good to see the earle/kelly partnership given another chance. Interesting that rees is in over owen, but hardly a weak choice, just hope his throwing is better.

Am worried about edwards penalty count, and thought turnbull was harshly penalised against leinster, hopefully that wont happen against glasgow.

Being a pain in the rear here mate, but Owen is the centre/flyhalf/fullback we signed from the Ospreys and Owens is the hooker from Carmarthen. People getting the two names the wrong way round is a real pet hate (i have an 's' at the end you see).

I think having Smiler and Edwards should give us a bit more sevens style running in the forwards, that said we will lose out a bit in the set peice and breakdown (maybe).

Of course! No worries, it's a pet hate of mine as well, so can't believe I did it myself!

I will of course now be checking my posts with a red pen lol

[ScarletSpiderman]

Of course! No worries, it's a pet hate of mine as well, so can't believe I did it myself!

I will of course now be checking my posts with a red pen lol

The amount of letters that went back to the school with a big red s on them.

Really looking forward to this tonight, is it on BBC ALBA?

[mckay1402]

scarlets show how to take a half chance. great score against the play really.

[Manky-Flanker]

Scarlets showed good composure for both their tries.

What frustrates me is when they get one of their forwards binned just outside their 22, we don't opt for the scrum to take immediate advantage. instead we go for the 3 points and miss. Totally let the Scarlets off the hook there.

Glad Priestland has left his kicking boots at home though

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