Richie Vernon Re-Joins Glasgow

As the title says, Richie Vernon is leaving Sale to re-join the Warriors. Probably not the worst news Sale fans have had these last couple of days in terms of players leaving, but a good re-addition to the Warriors squad.

3 Year Deal

Always good to shore up our resources at centre...

Not impressed by this signing, with Wilson and Strauss at 8 it will be hard for Vernon to get gametime.

It does imply that Barclay is leaving.

He's essentially a replacement for Angus McDonald. Would have preferred to see Ashe promoted from the EDP ranks and Vernon find another club in England, but hey ho. Good to sustain the strength in depth at Glasgow.

IanBru wrote:Always good to shore up our resources at centre...

Like rats from a sinking ship...

Shame for Sale though - feel sorry for them. Can we get Brian Kennedy and his money at The Warriors too - he wanted to chuck money at Rangers so look to the West Brian !!!!!!

I think this is a good signing by Glasgow. With pace that Glasgow are now looking to put on the game, Vernon is a shrewd acquisition, and has played some good stuff with Sale this season.

He gets around the park well and his breakdown skills have seemingly improved at Sale as he's been used at both 6 and 7 from time to time.

I don't think he'll trouble Harley, Strauss or Wilson at 6 or 8, and I don't think he'll get in ahead of Barclay or Fusaro at 7, but I think he'll serve nicely as back-up, along with James Eddie.

Back-up 7 in place of Barclay and competing with Jedi for back-up 6, I imagine? Don't rate him at international level, and have seen him smashed back in the tackle in the prem, but a certain game style would suit his skills (soft hands, pace, a rugby brain)

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Back-up 7 in place of Barclay and competing with Jedi for back-up 6, I imagine? Don't rate him at international level, and have seen him smashed back in the tackle in the prem, but a certain game style would suit his skills (soft hands, pace, a rugby brain)

I have a feeling that we will bring in another 7, if/when Barclay leaves. Can see us bringing in an Non Qualified back rower, as I don't see any Scots who can come in and improve us (in this position. With Barclay's departure we will have 4 Back Rowers who are either starting or close to starting playing "abroad" so bringing in someone from outside, wont necessarily hurt the National team.

I agree with that - we have plenty of options in the back row that are Scots qualified, so getting someone who'll add something rather than some kid is probably wise. Fusaro will be first choice, and Harley/Vernon can serve as back-up.

Whilst you're raiding Sale - Braid looks handy!

Think Braid just renewed down there, fES

If they're looking for a replacement of Barclay they should find the best Southern Hemisphere 7 that wants to play for them that's not been capped so can qualify after 3 years.

Problem I have with Edinburgh signings most are tied to a country. If you're going to sign a NSQ make sure he can become SQ in 3 years time. Still so many good players in New Zealand that haven't been capped and probably won't be - they usually end up at the Aus franchises.

Would qualify this with I would still prefer there to be a Scottish born player in each position.

I'm quite 'meh' about this one.

I've never really rated the gangling funster and can only assume he's been brought in as Fozzy cover. He isn't big enough for a lock and there's no way I'd have him at 6 over Harley or Strauss or at 8 over Wilson. I suppose he's useful bench cover and can get things down from high shelves.

I presume that this does mean Barclay is off to either Tigers or Toulon.

With Gray chaperoning the Squashed Goblin at Castres and Hamilton joining JB Jnr at Montpellier, seems that lots of French clubs are buying into the thistle these days.

I'm with GC on this one - don't really see the need for him at the Weedge other than cover, but I'd rather a Scot fulfilling that role than a NSQ.

This is a reasonable signing if we got him for the right price. Otherwise I can't see how we can justify paying big bucks for a player who will be on the bench or being sent off to play for a club. I doubt many Premiership clubs in England would want him but there is decent money in the Championship too.

A pacey backrow option who has been doing good stuff off the bench at Sale. He can spot a gap and pick a line, against a tiring defence he's in his element.

Sale seem to be weeding out the light weight options in the pack. Gray, Myall and now Vernon all off this summer I'd expect Sale to be looking for some more beefy options next season. Braid and Seymour renewing is a sign of intent, they are a combative flanker partnership that aren't afraid to get their hands dirty both would have had offers from elsewhere.

guys guys, youre looking at this all wrong.

The vernonator isnt being brought in for the backrow.

Hes going to replace Scott Wight.

formerly known as Sam wrote:A pacey backrow option who has been doing good stuff off the bench at Sale. He can spot a gap and pick a line, against a tiring defence he's in his element.

Sale seem to be weeding out the light weight options in the pack. Gray, Myall and now Vernon all off this summer I'd expect Sale to be looking for some more beefy options next season. Braid and Seymour renewing is a sign of intent, they are a combative flanker partnership that aren't afraid to get their hands dirty both would have had offers from elsewhere.

I'd hardly call Gray 'lightweight'. I expect that's more an offloading of wages and a desire to play for a sucessful team more than anything.

Out of interest, how many tries did Vernon score for Sale? it seems whenever I looked at results, he was always on the scoresheet??

Vernon has scored 10 tries for Sale, 5 this season so far and 5 last season.

I'd hardly call Gray 'lightweight'

For someone of his size he has made very little impact in the tight for Sale. He's not an enforcer by any stretch of the imagination and is not particularly adept at leading a lineout. He is basically a number 8 that's been shoved into the second row. To make it under Steve old school Diamond he's going to need to find some aggression and start putting his body on the line for Sale.

He gets round the field in defence but is far too easily cut down ball in hand. If we were talking about the top 5 locks in the AP he wouldn't be in there, he might even struggle to make top 10 on current form.

Sam, fortunately he seems to save his best form for Scotland!