New Edinburgh and Glasgow Teams Thread - 2013/2014

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

We exhausted the other thread, so here we go with a new one for all of your pre-season banter needs.
 
1. Edinburgh   
 
Chairman: Jim Calder
CEO: Craig Docherty
Coach: Alan Solomons  
Captain: Greig Laidlaw
 
(a) Squad:
 
Props
Geoff Cross, WP Nel, Lewis Niven, Alasdair Dickinson
 
Hookers
Ross Ford, Steven Lawrie, Aleki Lutui, Alun Walker,
 
Locks
Sean Cox, Grant Gilchrist, Perry Parker, Izak van der Westhuizen, Robert McAlpine,
 
Loose Forwards
Dimitri Basilaia, David Denton, Roddy Grant, Stuart McInally, Ross Rennie, Hamish Watson,
 
Half Backs
Alex Black, Greig Laidlaw, Chris Leck, Harry Leonard, Piers Francis,
 
Centres
Ben Atiga, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, John Houston, Matt Scott,
 
Back Three
Tom Brown, Lee Jones, Greig Tonks, Tim Visser, Nikki Walker, Dougie Fife, Jack Cuthbert
 
(b) Transfers 2013/2014:
 
Players In
 
Nikki Walker from Worcester Warriors
Jack Cuthbert from Bath Rugby
Aleki Lutui from Worcester Warriors
Alasdair Dickinson from Sale Sharks
 
Players Out
 
Richie Rees to Newport Gwent Dragons
Netani Talei to Newport Gwent Dragons
Sep Visser released
Mike Penn to Moseley
Andy Titterrell to London Welsh
John Yapp to London Irish
Allan Jacobsen retired
James King retired
Steven Turnbull retired
 
(c) Elite Development Players 2013/2014:
 
Alex Allan (Edinburgh Accies)
Chris Auld (Gala)*
Magnus Bradbury (Boroughmuir)*
Phil Cringle (Heriot’s)
Bruce Dick (Melrose)*
Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Accies)
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Heriot’s)
Neil Irvine Hess (Watsonians)*
Ewan McQuillin (Gala)*
George Turner (Heriot’s)
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Accies)
 
* = new EDP player 
 
2. Glasgow  
 
Chairman: Charles Shaw
CEO: Nathan Bomrys
Coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Alastair Kellock
 
(a) Squad:
 
Fraser Brown, Hooker
Finlay Gillies, Hooker
Dougie Hall, Hooker
Pat MacArthur, Hooker
Michael Cusack, Prop
Ryan Grant, Prop
Ed Kalman, Prop
Moray Low, Prop
Gordon Reid, Prop
Jon Welsh, Prop
Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Prop
 
Jonny Gray, Lock
Alastair Kellock, Lock
Tom Ryder, Lock
Tim Swinson, Lock
Leone Nakarawa, Lock
 
James Eddie, Flanker
Chris Fusaro, Flanker
Rob Harley, Flanker
Tyrone Holmes, Flanker
 
Ryan Wilson, Number 8
Richie Vernon, Number 8
Josh Strauss, Number 8
 
Chris Cusiter, Scrum-half
Nikola Matawalu, Scrum-half
Henry Pyrgos, Scrum-half
 
Ruaridh Jackson, Fly-half
Duncan Weir, Fly-half
Scott Wight, Fly-half
 
Gabriel Ascarate, Centre
Mark Bennett, Centre
Alex Dunbar, Centre
Peter Horne, Centre
Byron McGuigan, Centre
 
Sean Lamont, Wing
Sean Maitland, Wing
Tommy Seymour, Wing
D.T.H. van der Merwe, Wing
 
Stuart Hogg, Fullback
Peter Murchie, Fullback
 
(b) Player Transfers 2013/2014:
 
Players In
 
Richie Vernon from Sale Sharks
Tyrone Holmes from Petrarca Rugby
Jerry Yanuyanutawa from London Irish
Gabriel Ascarate from US Carcassonne
Leone Nakarawa from Fiji Barbarians
 
Players Out
 
John Barclay to Scarlets
Nick Campbell to Jersey
Ofa Fainga'anuku to Worcester Warriors
Taylor Paris to Agen
Graeme Morrison retired
Rory Lamont retired
 
(c) Elite Development Players 2013/2014:
 
Gavin Lowe (Ayr)
Rory Hughes (Stirling County)
Jack Steele (Dundee)
Finn Russell (Ayr)
Ali Price (Bedford Blues)
Adam Ashe (Stirling County)
Will Bordill (Sale Sharks)
Andrew Redmayne (Dundee)
Fergus Scott (Currie)
George Hunter (Ayr)
Darcy Rae (Ayr)

[IanBru]

My sister just texted me to say that she had seen a guy wearing a Glasgow shirt on the London Tube this morning, and felt the need to walk over and hug him.

If by some chance the guy was any of you, and you happen to feel violated, I can only apologise and assure you that she's getting the help she desperately needs.

[bsando]

That was me!

Ah yeah, she gave me her number by the way.. And yeah, I was wearing an Edinburgh top.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

I have to say Bennett didn't score last night but he did look very classy and ran some very good lines. Also gave some very good passes to set up a few of the tries and defensively put in some very big hits.
I was impressed with Byron McGuigan on the wing, finished off very well to score in the corner and looked threatning when he had the ball.
The pick of the forwards i would say was Jon Welsh, carried well and scrummaged hard against Stuart Corsar. Also threw some very good punches when him and Corsar had a scuffle.

Big Angela throwing a few blows huh ! You can take the boy out of Glasgow etc etc Big Old Unit right enough - take it Stuart Corsar is a big lad too ? 

[bsando]

On this topic, does anyone have a clue what the hell all the Glasgow and Edinburgh players are on about half the time on Twitter? Particularly the Edinburgh lot!

Every 2nd tweet between themsleves has a #saaaaaaaaaaaan #booooooooooooooi or #pfffft after it - obviously means something to them!

Might be a reference to prank vs prank on YouTube (couple who prank each other and post vids on YouTube)

[EST]

Just had a gander at the Glasgow V Aberdeen highlights. First thing that jumped out at me was how much more physically developed Gray and Ashe look in comparison to last season - they both look like they could make a decent contribution, Gray almost certainly will have to regardless.

Price looked nippy and apparently Russell also had a good game, I am looking forward to seeing what he can do, after his stellar reports from NZ. I am also very glad that Robbie Fergusson is still in the loop, how he doesn't have an EDP is beyond me.

[RDW]

It was hard to tell who anyone was without the shirt numbers!

Glasgow looked absolutely massive compared to grammar. Bob Harley is a unit!

One things for sure though - the goal kicking was absolutely gash!

[GLove39]

Good to see that Lee Jones has been working on his defence... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=526703820734865&set=a.526688457403068.1073741839.147965658608685&type=3&permPage=1

[George Carlin]

Graham - I see that you are now an official Warriors photographer:
http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/13/08/09/young-guns-emphatic-aberdeen-win

[reallybored]

Looking forward to seeing Glasgow get started this season, would be incredible if they picked up where they left off, the rugby at the end of the season was top drawer.

15 - Hogg (kicker)
14 - Maitland
13 - Bennett
12 - Dunbar
11 - DTH
10 - Jackson
9 - Matawalu
8 - Strauss
7 - Fusaro
6 - Harley
5 - Kellock (c)
4 - Swinson
3 - Cusack
2 - MacArthur
1 - Grant

16 - Hall
17 - Welsh
18 - Low
19 - Gray
20 - Wilson
21 - Cusiter
22 - Weir
23 - Lamont

At full strength that's a formidable line up with a few genuine game changers (Hogg, Maitland, Matawalu, Strauss ([Bennett  ]) plus plenty of graft and bite from the likes of (Grant, Swinson, Fusaro, Harley). Townsend was good at rotating the squad last season and there's plenty of depth for him to use, hopefully they'll have a bit more luck with injuries this season.

In the Rabo I'd be relevantlively confident against anyone, when they play well in both attack and defence they're a match for anyone.

Heineken Cup will be trickier obviously, capable of beating both Exeter and Blues away from home but they really need to turn the Champions over at Scotstoun if they want a chance at getting through.

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Tought Matawalu was out for the 1st month.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

He is, Jen - Cusiter is till feeling his way back, so it'll likely be Pyrgos backed up by youngster Ali Price. I don't think Cusack is ready yet either

[GLove39]

Graham - I see that you are now an official Warriors photographer:
http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/13/08/09/young-guns-emphatic-aberdeen-win

Living the dream!

[GLove39]

I don't think Cusack is ready yet either

 

[RDW]

Talk of a 'player related announcement' from Edinburgh on Twitter today.  Suspect it will be a re-signing (not exciting) as opposed to a new signing, as they would have just said that!

Apparently it is going to be a busy week so let's see what happens...

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I see that Chick Chalmers and Chinnor RFC have parted company before the season has even begun - apparently, due to personal circumstances he'd been AWOL for training - bizarre

[RDW]

I see that Chick Chalmers and Chinnor RFC have parted company before the season has even begun - apparently, due to personal circumstances he'd been AWOL for training - bizarre

That really is strange - would be crazy but not surprising if he's now offered the assistant role at Edinburgh!

[EWT Spoons]

I see that Chick Chalmers and Chinnor RFC have parted company before the season has even begun - apparently, due to personal circumstances he'd been AWOL for training - bizarre

That really is strange - would be crazy but not surprising if he's now offered the assistant role at Edinburgh!

my thoughts exactly, especially as you mentioned earlier. Edinburgh rugby tweeted about it being a big week (or something along those lines).

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

It's a possibility, lads, altho he wanted to be down sarf for personal reasons originally?

[RDW]

It's a possibility, lads, altho he wanted to be down sarf for personal reasons originally?

Personal reasons i.e. wanting to get away from the SRU.

I’d be very surprised if he was appointed at Edinburgh, and TBH I don’t really want him there! The last thing we need is a disruptive influence in the coaching team. Can’t see him blending very well with the 2 Saffers and Stevie Scott either.

Story on their website here

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/news/board-of-directors-announce-re-1009136.html

Pretty poor show that he agreed to take the job on then didn’t turn up for a lot of training sessions.

[tigertattie]

he is kinda shooting himself in the foot for his coaching career! Seems to not get on with the powers that be regardless of where he is! Sounds like a bit of a toruble maker now!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

he is kinda shooting himself in the foot for his coaching career! Seems to not get on with the powers that be regardless of where he is!  Sounds like a bit of a toruble maker now!

I think it would be worth finding out his version of events before leaping to too many conclusions tho?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

It's a possibility, lads, altho he wanted to be down sarf for personal reasons originally?

Personal reasons i.e. wanting to get away from the SRU.

I’d be very surprised if he was appointed at Edinburgh, and TBH I don’t really want him there!  The last thing we need is a disruptive influence in the coaching team.  Can’t see him blending very well with the 2 Saffers and Stevie Scott either.

Story on their website here

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/news/board-of-directors-announce-re-1009136.html

Pretty poor show that he agreed to take the job on then didn’t turn up for a lot of training sessions.

No, I believe the personal reasons were related to girlfriend.

I think he could work well with the two Saffers - if he came in with the right attitude, he could learn a lot and contribute too - all would depend on his desire to work as part of the new team

[RDW]

he is kinda shooting himself in the foot for his coaching career! Seems to not get on with the powers that be regardless of where he is!  Sounds like a bit of a toruble maker now!

I think it would be worth finding out his version of events before leaping to too many conclusions tho?

Good point.

Either way he signed up knowing what the commitment would be so unless it was a significant change in circumstances then it's not exactly great from him to leave them like that. We can only speculate!

Has he said anything about it on Twitter?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

No

[EWT Spoons]

I'd just be concerned that he comes in with the wrong attitude and I'm not sure he's the best example to the players.

This is of course based on total speculation that he's even being considered.

[EWT Spoons]

Apparently Edinburgh have just signed Alex & Ben Toolis, 21 year old second row twins.

I can't say I've heard of them.

Edit - From brisbane, mum's from Carluke, EDP players

[RDW]

More 2nd rows?!

[Captain_Sensible]

They've been signed as EDPs, and are Scots-qualified.

[RDW]

Chances of them getting any game time this year are zilch - must be really desperate to tie them to Scotland instead of leave them for another year in Australia.

I can only think the plan is to let PJP go next year, and maybe even Cox too. Why else would we need 8 2nd rows??

From the photo they look like big lads anyway!

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Apparently Edinburgh have just signed Alex & Ben Toolis, 21 year old second row twins.

I can't say I've heard of them.

Edit - From brisbane, mum's from Carluke, EDP players

Sounds good. Leinster have the Byrne brothers in the Academy. Irish u20 LH prop and Hooker combo. Also twins.

BTW. I thought spoons were usually EPNS rather than EWT.

[bsando]

Kind of feels like poaching really, but hey, if they turn out to be really good players and represent Scotland in the future then that is good I guess. Made me laugh though when I realised they were both second row's. Strength in depth is pretty good in that position now haha.

I know a lot of people want a ten for Edinburgh, but I would rather see Leonard and Francis sharing this role with Laidlaw playing the odd game at ten too. Kennedy, Laidlaw and Hart at 9, Edinburgh have potential in this 9/10 area with the players they already have, no need for a new ten unless it is someone who is Scots qualified and has lots of potential. By the way, is Francis scots qualified or is he being kept for three years like Visser to become eligible?

I am hopeful Edinburgh can do better this year and I hope Solomons reinvigorates the Edinburgh style of game.. wide, through the hands rugby! That is the main reason I support Edinburgh for F's sake! Plus Glasgow are playing a similar brand of rugby which would surely allow both teams international players to gel better when the internationals are on.

[EWT Spoons]

Francis isn’t Scots qualified, and I think he was only signed on a two year deal.

Jen – that is some epic and very random spoon banter. I had to look it up.

[RDW]

They are both 6ft 7 and 18st 2, with high level volleyball experience in their late teens - pretty big athletic guys then!

[EWT Spoons]

Wonder if they’ll be able to play together, or will they be too similar? You’d hope they would have a good understanding of each others game though.

[RDW]

Not too sure - you'd expect not if the are the same size and shape. Both big units though.

Tell you what - they will both be popular in the Premiership draft! Good experience already and likely to be available most of the season, they'd be a real asset to any premiership club.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Wonder if they’ll be able to play together, or will they be too similar?  You’d hope they would have a good understanding of each others game though.

A quick google search suggests that they've been playing together for a while

[EWT Spoons]

Google, why didn't I think of that!

Good work As.

In other big Edinburgh news, the supporters bar now has free wifi. They were right when they said it was a big week.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Google, why didn't I think of that!

Good work As.

In other big Edinburgh news, the supporters bar now has free wifi.  They were right when they said it was a big week.

Is anyone allowed in it now, or is still reserved for the Blazeratti?!

[EWT Spoons]

It was open to all, but the free wifi might have changed things. 

[tigertattie]

I tried to get into the bar once, I was told I didnt have a correct club tie for entry.

So I went to MacDonalds instead!

[madmaccas]

Saw that they'd signed two players and got excited, bit underwhelming to be honest, especially considering the BT cash and new coach.

I really hope they prove me wrong and become mainstays of Edinburgh and Scotland for years to come. If that were the case it may turn out to be a masterstroke (get 'em cheap, get 'em young).

[madmaccas]

Having just re-read the Edinburgh chief executive's statement last week, it appears there may not be any big signings but rather a few unproven but promising young players.  

"There are probably other players of a similar ilk that we are looking at who will arrive in the next month...I would think there will be further announcements."

[HawkTheSlayersRubbish]

wonder if the scout hut will ever get wifi?

[GLove39]

Well fingers crossed these two Walla(not to)bies turn out to be Nathan Hines type players.

[InjuredYetAgain]

More "wannabies" than "wallabies" I suspect. A bit underwhelming really and as RDW said, are we doing for locks what we did for centres a few seasons ago and sign any that were available irrespective of ability?
Looking at the likely starting XV, how many Scots will there be (and I mean ones born here)? Ford, Rennie, Laidlaw, Scott, De Luca possibly and Tom Brown possibly. Chuffing nora, we have gone from one extreme to another.

[RDW]

Think you're being a little harsh injured, if you look at those there or there abouts for the starting 23 it's not too bad. From the top of mu head:

Dickinson - Dundee
Ford - kelso
Lawrie - heriots (?)
Cross - gala
Niven - Trinity
Gilchrist - alloa
Mcalpine - Stirling
mcinally - Watsons
Rennie - Edinburgh academy (?)
Laidlaw - Jed
hunter - gala
Scott - Currie
de Luca - Dumfries
Jones - Selkirk
Brown - Currie
walker - hawick

that's a big list, and there's probably some I've missed.

Tbh as long as they are sq I'm not so fussed - remember how many nsq players we got last year.

[RDW]

Oh yeah -

Dougie fife - Currie
Cairnsy - royal high (if he's fit!)

[InjuredYetAgain]

Oops, forgot about Nikki Walker but, from your list, RDW, how many of them will actually start? You have put down 2 hookers and you also have at least 2 probably 3 props and 2 locks who won't start.
My point was that we are padding a squad with relatively low quality non Scottish born guys. I hope that I have to eat my words about the quality of the new guys (and I include vdw and Atiga in this) but I am not massively hopeful. Perhaps the signings say something about the quality of the domestic leagues, though?

[IanBru]

Why does it matter if they weren't born in Scotland? If one thing defines us as a nation, it's our willingness to look outward in search of opportunity - why you'll find an 'Argyll Street' in pretty much every major western city. This willingness, as well as an attractive and easily recognizable culture, means that there are a lot of people around the world who would consider playing for Scotland as a perfectly reasonable aspiration.

Sorry, but this 'if you're weren't born in Scotland then you're not Scottish' thing gets pretty wearing.

[RDW]

I'm with ianbru on this - it's unrealistic to expect Edinburgh or Glasgow to have a top class squad of 30 good players born in Scotland. Are there any decent young 2nd rows who are realistically capable of making the step up, who are not currently in the system? Probably not.

My point is that the situation is what it is, and I'd rather we at least sign sq players than non sq players.

Without labouring the point, you could pretty much get a decent born in Scotland 15 from that list:

Dickinson
Ford
Cross
Gilchrist
Mcalpine
Mcinally
Rennie
-
Laidlaw
Hunter
Fife
Scott
De Luca
Walker
Brown

That wouldn't be far off a starting XV at some stage this season, just missing a number 8

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