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)

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

There's still Barclay at 7, a very decent option obviously. Still, it would be good if Fusaro can step up to the plate this season as a genuine international contender, and Watson and Bordill getting some gametime would be handy as well.

I suspect that we'll see more of Strokosch and Brown on the flanks, regrettably.

Unless we're overlooking Richie Vernon.....

Lets

[funnyExiledScot]

There's still Barclay at 7, a very decent option obviously. Still, it would be good if Fusaro can step up to the plate this season as a genuine international contender, and Watson and Bordill getting some gametime would be handy as well.

I suspect that we'll see more of Strokosch and Brown on the flanks, regrettably.

Unless we're overlooking Richie Vernon.....

Lets

Don't tell me Vernon has stolen Bennett's lunch money again......

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Gie it baak   

[funnyExiledScot]

Gie it baak   

Sorry, Vernon ran off with it and Bennett couldn't catch him.....I know who I'd rather pick at centre.....

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I think you actually would, which I'm afraid says it all

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

If they gave them away to Glasgow fans, I am wondering how quickly they would be used to cover the season ticket holder's face to make a handy aide to robbing their local offie*.

* I am making this joke now to get it out of the way with before anyone else does.

Or it would help the residents of Brotheltown go about their nefarious business. Well done SRU - helping the MFLs get over their hang ups !!!  

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

It really pains me to see Edinburgh playing at Murrayfield," said Irvine.

You really couldn't make this stuff up !  

[jimbopip]

Increasingly, people who know about these things are saying that 7 is the crucial position in modern rugby. Ergo, a specialist 7 is crucial to success at international level. So...
6. Brown, Harley, Strokes N.B. they are sixes NOTHING else.
8. Beattie, Wilson, Denton.
7 .Barclay, Fozzy, Rennie.
You can mix and match all day long, if they are all fit, and struggle to find a poor combination UNLESS Andy Robinson is helping you. But with Rennie out and Fozzy still an international novice let us pray that Barclay rediscovers his best form at  .
P.S all this premature jock elation coming from our MFL brethren about McCaffrey signing for them, does rather remind one of the new Scotland supremo saga does it not? Is it a Brotheltown thing?

[reallybored]

Barclay started to show some good form towards the end of last season, I think the move to Scarlets will do him good so would have no problem with him starting in AIs.  He's a very good player, at his best he's in the top bracket but we haven't seen that for a while so fingers crossed?

But Rennie is world class when fit and imo our best player, so don't rush him back.  If he didn't play any rugby in the next 12 months but was 100% on lead up to RWC 15 I'd be happy.

I'm hoping to see the Killer B's back together come November, with a Denton back at his rampaging best on the bench (Strokosch was very impressive during the summer mind).

Any word on how Hamilton and Gray are getting on in France?  Be a huge boost if they were both playing well in Top 14 by the time we face SA and ABs, Hamilton gives us great stability at set-piece and nastiness while Gray has potential to be one of the best in world.

Grant, Ford, Murray, Gray, Hamilton, Brown, Barclay, Beattie

[George Carlin]

Don't know how Richie or Big Jim are getting on specifically but after 2 games of the new season, Richie's team are third in the league and Jim's is shoring up the bottom. As it were, matron (etc).

[funnyExiledScot]

I think you actually would, which I'm afraid says it all

Nah, I see Vernon as more of a 12.....they'd compliment eachother nicely.....

[funnyExiledScot]

Don't know how Richie or Big Jim are getting on specifically but after 2 games of the new season, Richie's team are third in the league and Jim's is shoring up the bottom. As it were, matron (etc).

Gray's progress at Castres is going to be really important this season. I felt there was some lost time last season, although the Lions will have been an important experience from him.

I really like the idea of Gray and Swinson playing together in the second row. A really strong and hard working unit, and with one of Strokosch and Brown at 6, you've got a tough core to the pack right there.

[George Carlin]

The forwards are hard as nails in France - any SH player that's rocked up there has made a point of saying so and Scott Murray said so recently in an interview too. Nathan Hines has said that it was the making of him as a player and Strokosch has also said that there's nowhere to hide out there.
 
Gray will learn an incredible amount out there if he's smart enough. People were sniffy about the fact that he joined Castres as opposed to more of a marquee club but the simple fact is that I'd rather be playing for Castres, who are current Top 14 champions rather than a team like Stade or Racing Metro who are straying increasingly far from the ethos of a traditional rugby club by employing a team of individual franchises.

[tigertattie]

The forwards are hard as nails in France - Strokosch has also said that there's nowhere to hide out there.
 

Maybe we should send out the ruck inspector then to try and toughen him up?

[jimbopip]

Grant, Ford, Murray, Gray, Hamilton, Brown, Barclay, Beattie

I think I would have WeePee at hooker, and having seen Wagga on BT looking mobile and belligerent in the French mode I would love to see him come out of retirement. When does the mighty Coo become SQ?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Newcastle Falcons at Mansfield Park, Hawick (kick-off 7.45pm)

15 Greig Tonks
14 Jack Cuthbert
13 Dougie Fife
12Nick De Luca
11Lee Jones
10 Piers Francis
9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN

1 Alasdair Dickinson
2 Ross Ford
3 WP Nel
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Izak van der Westhuizen
6 Sean Cox
7 Roddy Grant
8 David Denton

Substitutes

16 Aleki Lutui
17 Lewis Niven
18 Geoff Cross
19 Ollie Atkins
20 Hamish Watson
21 Sean Kennedy
22 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
23 Tom Brown
24 Dimitri Basilaia

Unavailable through injury: Alex Allan (leg), Ben Atiga (knee), Grayson Hart (ankle), Steven Lawrie (back), Robin Hislop (leg), Chris Leck (shoulder), Stuart McInally (knee), Ross Rennie (shoulder), Matt Scott (ankle), Tim Visser (foot), Alun Walker (hamstring), Nikki Walker (shoulder).

Players released to the RBS Premiership: Alex Black (Edinburgh Accies), Gregor Hunter (Hawick), Harry Leonard (Melrose), Robert McApline (Hawick), Perry Parker (Melrose).

[RDW]

Really not sure why he's let Hunter and Leonard go to the Premiership and put 2 scrum halfs on the bench.

Anyone fancy doing a match thread??

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Grant, Ford, Murray, Gray, Hamilton, Brown, Barclay, Beattie

I think I would have WeePee at hooker, and having seen Wagga on BT looking mobile and belligerent in the French mode I would love to see him come out of retirement. When does the mighty Coo become SQ?

Next Summer I think, certainly in time for next years AIs.

[funnyExiledScot]

Well it looks like Solomons/Scott have a fairly good idea as to what their 1st XV looks like - pretty consistent selections so far.

Looks like Cox is going to be a regular fixture at 6, and that Lee Jones is going to get a shot at 11 whilst Visser is out.

Agree with RDW on the bench, surprised Leonard isn't being used. I can only assume that they see Hidalgo-Clyne as more than a 9.

Pleased to see some continuity of selection. All seems far too sensible so far.

[nickj]

Agreed FES. Although the more I see the Edinburgh line-up the more I think Stuart McInally's decision to move to 2 is plain mental, both in terms of squad balance and the likelihood of him actually playing this season.

McInally could have made the 6 shirt his own this season, irrespective of whether he had exactly the right build for it or preferred playing 8.

On another note, what do people think of Bordill and Watson as our future options at 7? Do people rate them? Or are we hoping that Sale and Leicester saw something special and the SRU have picked up some bargains for the EDP?

[RDW]

Don't know anything about Bordill but Watson looks promising - great pace and a good link man. Kind of like Fusaro.

[George Carlin]

Scott, Visser and Walker all officially 'injured' does not necessarily bode well for the start of the season.
 
You would seem Sam or another poster well acquainted with Sale Sharks to let you know how Bordill is rated. I think that he's been perfectly reasonable for the U20s. That's all relative, of course. I thought that our U20s were quite a good crop this time round, but then again, what does that say about the English and Welsh U20s who are top 1 and 2 in the world, if you attribute rankings to the most recent tournament.

[tigertattie]

Anyone got any further insight into why Mcinallly made this odd move?

it is jsut bonkers!

[funnyExiledScot]

I was increasingly impressed by Watson last season. At the beginning he looked a bit small and ineffective, but after a few appearances he really grew into the 7 jersey and made more of a nuisance of himself.

Rennie is still comfortably our best option, and I'm pleased to see Roddy Grant back, strong and consistent club player (when used in the correct position of 7), but Watson is a good back-up option, and I'm sure he'll get some chances this season.

So annoyed I can't see the game tomorrow!

[Captain_Sensible]

Anyone got any further insight into why Mcinallly made this odd move?

it is jsut bonkers!

He thinks it's the best chance he has of playing for Scotland. Personal decision, as far as I can see.

Shame that Farndale isn't involved against the Falcons. Certainly has more promise to him than Lee Jones.

[funnyExiledScot]

Agree on Farndale. I've only seen glimpses of him in highlights reels of the U20s etc., but looks to have good pace, solid build and a good attacking direct approach to his rugby. The sort of winger who may be put into touch a couple of times, but won't let an opportunity to have a crack at the line go begging.

Lee Jones last season had confidence issues, and a winger low on confidence is about as much use as a bar of soap in Glasgow.

[George Carlin]

I was increasingly impressed by Watson last season. At the beginning he looked a bit small and ineffective, but after a few appearances he really grew into the 7 jersey and made more of a nuisance of himself.

Rennie is still comfortably our best option, and I'm pleased to see Roddy Grant back, strong and consistent club player (when used in the correct position of 7), but Watson is a good back-up option, and I'm sure he'll get some chances this season.

So annoyed I can't see the game tomorrow!

Speaking of the Ginger Midget, what happened to him last season? He was a sure test cap for me two years ago, but then went completely AWOL.

[funnyExiledScot]

I think a combination of being injured, not selected by the moronic Bradley and generally being hacked off with being used at number 8, a position he is completely unsuited for.

I like him. Totally committed, huge workrate and not uncomfortable with ball in hand. Given that Rennie features prominently in my Sick Note XV (which deserved far more credit in my opinion....) we really need Grant to stick around and perform this season. Watson is good, but I don't think he can cover the entire season.

[RDW]

Grant is a very good option to have with Rennie injured. He's not as dynamic but is one hell of a competitor

[tigertattie]

I'd have Grant at 7 for Scotland with Brown and 6.  Obviously Rennie and Barclay would be first choice but when they are both injured Grant would be where I would look.  Shunting Brown to 7 is daft (although he is competent in the position)

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I'd have Grant at 7 for Scotland with Brown and 6.  Obviously Rennie and Barclay would be first choice but when they are both injured Grant would be where I would look.  Shunting Brown to 7 is daft (although he is competent in the position)

Ahead of Fusaro? Not on last season's form, surely?

[RDW]

Both were injured for much of last season so that’s not really a comparison.

[RDW]

Plus last season’s form has nothing to do with Scotland going forward, especially since both are back from long term injury

[tigertattie]

Grant is a work horse! Will tackle and poach all day long.  Fusaro is definatly one for the future though.  I just think Grants experience would put him ahead in the pecking order just now.  But if Fusaro can hit his form again and deliver consitently for the Weedge, then sure, he is in with a shout!

[funnyExiledScot]

I'd say that Fusaro is the more talented player. Grant is dependable and consistent, a solid pro, but when Fusaro is on song he does get everywhere.

[Majestic83]

Agreed FES. Although the more I see the Edinburgh line-up the more I think Stuart McInally's decision to move to 2 is plain mental, both in terms of squad balance and the likelihood of him actually playing this season.

McInally could have made the 6 shirt his own this season, irrespective of whether he had exactly the right build for it or preferred playing 8.

On another note, what do people think of Bordill and Watson as our future options at 7? Do people rate them? Or are we hoping that Sale and Leicester saw something special and the SRU have picked up some bargains for the EDP?

Bordill looks pretty good when i have seen him play. Good pace, strong tackler and very good at turnovers.
Not seen much of Watson, but looks promising similar to Rennie in style. It still annoys me that the player who was meant to get Watsons place at Edinburgh was Alec Spence who played for the u20s the same time at Watson. Suffered a couple of bad injuries after being rushed back by the SRU and missed out on the contract after initially being offered it. Spence would have been a great 7 and would have been pushing for the Scotland 7 jersey shortly. Great talent who was poorly mismanaged by the sru, played for the Gael force at 17 but broke his ankle playing for them, rushed back and suffered repeated hamstring injuries and then shoulder injuries due to the SRU overworking him.

[jimbopip]

I'd say that Fusaro is the more talented player. Grant is dependable and consistent, a solid pro, but when Fusaro is on song he does get everywhere.

Grant is consistent; every 1872 game he would take up his usual position just inside John Barclay's back pocket.
Word from the weekend when Harlequins' first XV scraped home against Warriors 3rds was that Fozzy more than matched Robshaw, except of course in the "Oooh look at the size of my guns" department.

[RDW]

Some grim reading on the Edinburgh injury front:

Visser and walker out until after the Munster game

Visser has a recurring foot injury, something he player with in the 2nd half of last season

Matt Scott out for 4-6 weeks

Atiga might need a knee operation

Lawrie and Rennie out until the Autumn

Mcinally and Grayson Hart have ankle injuries


Not ideal, especially our only 12s in the squad both being injured!

[InjuredYetAgain]

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Newcastle Falcons at Mansfield Park, Hawick (kick-off 7.45pm)

15 Greig Tonks
14 Jack Cuthbert
13 Dougie Fife
12Nick De Luca
11Lee Jones
10 Piers Francis
9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN

1 Alasdair Dickinson
2 Ross Ford
3 WP Nel
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Izak van der Westhuizen
6 Sean Cox
7 Roddy Grant
8 David Denton

Substitutes

16 Aleki Lutui
17 Lewis Niven
18 Geoff Cross
19 Ollie Atkins
20 Hamish Watson
21 Sean Kennedy
22 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
23 Tom Brown
24 Dimitri Basilaia

Unavailable through injury: Alex Allan (leg), Ben Atiga (knee), Grayson Hart (ankle), Steven Lawrie (back), Robin Hislop (leg), Chris Leck (shoulder), Stuart McInally (knee), Ross Rennie (shoulder), Matt Scott (ankle), Tim Visser (foot), Alun Walker (hamstring), Nikki Walker (shoulder).

Players released to the RBS Premiership: Alex Black (Edinburgh Accies), Gregor Hunter (Hawick), Harry Leonard (Melrose), Robert McApline (Hawick), Perry Parker (Melrose).

Well, I don't know how the Falcons feel but that team puts the fear of god in me. Okay, we have a few injuries but that is not a good team. That backrow against, say, Ulster will get man-owned.
The sad thing is that apart from Rennie, Scott and Visser, we don't have much left up our sleeve

[InjuredYetAgain]

RDW - are you sure you read the update correctly. Does Atiga not away having a tummy-tuck and gastric band fitted?

[RDW]

The falcons only have 1 less Scottish player starting than we do! I'd post the team but would be a nightmare on my phone.

We really need our new signings to come ASAP, and we really need them to hit the ground running. We also need even more new signings!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE GLASGOW WARRIORS

15 Luke Arscott, 14 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 13 Phil Dollman, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Ian Whitten, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas; 1 Brett Sturgess, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Carl Rimmer, 4 Dean Mumm (capt), 5 Damian Welch, 6 Ben White, 7 Tom Johnson, 8 Dave Ewers

Replacements (from): Ben Moon, Chris Whitehead, Alex Brown, Tom Hayes, Romana Graham, James Scaysbrook, Kai Horstmann, James Phillips, Will Chudley, Dave Lewis, Henry Slade, Ceri Sweeney, Tom James, Sam Hill, Matt Jess.



Reasonably close to full strength, missing a couple of front row options to injuries and niggles, likewise a few locks, and couple of centres/utility backs (Naqelevuki, Nowell, etc.)

[tigertattie]

Burgh will need thier pack to be on form as the backline are going to need all the help they can get!

[Geordie]

We've put out a strong team...a HUGE front row and very quick back row.

I notice our Scottish connection is on the rise again...we have a lot of Scots back...the last time we won the league we did aswell so it bodes well.

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Catterick, 14 Andy Higgins, 13 Danny Barnes, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair, 1 Franck Montanella, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 5 Scott MacLeod, 6 Will Welch (c), 7 Andy Saull, 8 Ally Hogg

Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Matt Thompson, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Dominic Barrow, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Adam Powell, 24 Alex Tait

[Captain_Sensible]

We've put out a strong team...a HUGE front row and very quick back row.

I notice our Scottish connection is on the rise again...we have a lot of Scots back...the last time we won the league we did aswell so it bodes well.

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Catterick, 14 Andy Higgins, 13 Danny Barnes, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair, 1 Franck Montanella, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 5 Scott MacLeod, 6 Will Welch (c), 7 Andy Saull, 8 Ally Hogg

Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Matt Thompson, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Dominic Barrow, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Adam Powell, 24 Alex Tait

Scott Lawson? Huge? Maybe his big baldy heid is, but the rest of him?  

[Geordie]

Ok yes i accept that...but the two gorillas either side of him make up for it...

[tigertattie]

Hmmm. Wonder if Ally Hogg has a good game, will he be noticed by the Scotland management and get a nod to come back into the fold?

[GLove39]

Some lovely match ups there.
Laidlaw V Blair
Ford v Lawson
Denton v Hogg

Wish the game was being televised

[RDW]

Hopefully Blair will teach Laidlaw a thing or 2 about speed at the breakdown!

[tigertattie]

Hopefully Blair will teach Laidlaw a thing or 2 about speed at the breakdown!

 

maybe 3 years ago! Blair crabs and is slow slow slow these days!

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