Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread V - The Fun Continues

[IanBru]

First topic message reminder :

Banter through the ages:

https://www.606v2.com/t48240-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread
https://www.606v2.com/t51313-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ii
https://www.606v2.com/t53119-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iii
https://www.606v2.com/t54519-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iv

Well friends, the pre-season has come and gone, now things get real.

A. Edinburgh Rugby


1. Pre-Season

Edinburgh 10-11 Leicester Tigers
Edinburgh 21-15 Newcastle Falcons

2. Results
Munster 13-14 Edinburgh
Edinburgh 13-14 Connacht
Ospreys 62-13 Edinburgh
Edinburgh 20-20 Scarlets
Ulster 30-0 Edinburgh
Edinburgh 24-10 Newport Gwent Dragons
Bordeaux-Bègles 13-15 Edinburgh

3. Upcoming Fixtures

Friday 24 Oct 2014 - 19:45 (TBC)
Lyon   (H)   -   European Rugby Challenge Cup

B. Glasgow Warriors


1. Pre-Season Results
Glasgow Warriors 23-24 Harlequins
London Scottish 19-38 Glasgow Warriors

2. Results
Glasgow Warriors 22-20 Leinster
Cardiff Blues 12-33 Glasgow Warriors
Newport Gwent Dragons 13-33 Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors 39 - 21 Connacht
Benetton Treviso 23-40 Glasgow Warriors
Ulster 29-9 Glasgow Warriors


3. Upcoming Fixtures

Sat 18 Oct 2014 - 15:15 (Live on BT Sport 2)
Bath   (H)   -   European Rugby Champions Cup

Sat 25 Oct 2014 - 18:15 (Live on Sky Sports)
Montpellier Herault   (A)   -   European Rugby Champions Cup

Any and all discussion of things rugby-related is welcome. Restaurant recommendations are openly sought. Introductions to eligible young people would be fantastic. Bullying, jingoism, and wang-measuring is not on.

We need to move forwards not backwards, upwards not forwards, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom.

[Argybargy]

Cheers Rdw - Done. Think i'll go for the winning/tries from Scottish team option. Hard to watch a game when the weedge missed out on even a point..

Fair weather fan? Moi?

GC - thanks for reinforcing the above - even if for slightly less magnanimous reasons.

[George Carlin]

Oh smeg - very bad news about Du Preez in the Hootsmon:

EDINBURGH are destined to be without the services of influential back-rower Cornell du Preez for several months after the 23-year-old underwent surgery on ankle injury sustained during Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 victory over the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Edinburgh were not prepared to comment on the precise nature of the injury last night, but head coach Alan Solomons has already said that he fears the player may be out for the remainder of the campaign.

“It is very serious. He was in agony. That could be his season,” the coach said after Saturday’s match.

A statement issued by the club yesterday lunchtime stated: “Cornell and all at Edinburgh Rugby convey our heartfelt thanks to the paramedics from the Scottish Ambulance Service who attended to him on the pitch, to the orthopaedic department, trauma consultants and staff at the Royal Infirmary for their expertise and care during his stay, and to the many supporters for their goodwill messages.

“Now back in the care of the Edinburgh Rugby medical team, Cornell’s progress will be monitored over the next few weeks to enable a timeline for recovery to be put together.”

Du Preez has been an ever-present in Edinburgh’s starting XV this year, and his absence is compounded by the fact that Dave Denton is not due back from a hamstring injury which has kept him sidelined since the start of August for another two weeks at least.

That leaves the capital outfit desperately short of a physical ball-carrying presence in the back row for their trip to the south west of France to take on Bordeaux Begles in the European Challenge Cup on Friday night.

The one guy the Vintage Rolex Collectors could not afford to lose this season. Time to poach a Currie Cup playing Saffer as cover, Mr Solomons?

[EWT Spoons]

Have to say hats off to Du Preez, he is one hard ba*tard.

His ankle was clearly very messed up, and us mere mortals would have been making it very, very visible that we were in a lot of pain. Du Preez merely waved over at the medics and then punched the ground in either anger, frustration or pain.

Granted the medics couldn’t get the oxygen mask on him fast enough, but he genuinely seemed to be more annoyed than anything else.

It was sadly inevitable that he was going to be out for a while. Will be a big miss for us, hope he comes back sooner rather than later.

Oh and Argy, despite getting the win, the Edinburgh match was pretty dull, if you like watching the ball getting the leather kicked off it for 80 mins then bash on, but I would imagine the Glasgow game (despite the result) would be a more entertaining watch.

[funnyExiledScot]

Its a massive blow to be without Du Preez, Denton and Scott for so long. I do have some sympathy for Solomons, but it now gives Coman and Leonardi the opportunity to step up to the plate, and Coman's ball carrying against the Dragons was actually very decent. I also think it'll call Bresler and Gilchrist into more ball carrying.

Bradbury and Ritchie should be rubbing their hands now. Step up the hard work in training lads and show Solomons what you can do. There should be some first team action coming your way now, and a great opportunity.

What must NOT happen is for Solomons to come to some loan/short term contract arrangement with some duff over the hill NSQ journeyman to cover for a short while.

Incidentally, I saw that Talei was released the other day, now he's a good player (and certainly not in the rejects category I describe above, but surely a step backwards......

[RuggerRadge2611]

Had a quick squint at the Neglected Children of Irish Rugby vs. The Great Unwashed thread....

A lot of those Ulster lads carry a massive chip on their shoulders.

[RDW]

https://www.606v2.com/t56026-european-challenge-cup-bordeaux-begles-v-edinburgh#2803879

[IanBru]

Too right Radge - one of the worst examples I've seen of the 'my club, good or bad' tendency.

Apparently, because O'Connor's punishment might extend to a year, and because it might ruin his career, those are perfectly good reasons not to even cite him. Apparently we're bad losers for demanding safety for our players.

Jesus wept.

[RDW]

Fairly harsh assessment of the need for Scotland 7s by Tom English on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/29603312

Amid the shock of seeing Edinburgh winning and Glasgow losing you may have missed the Gold Coast Sevens at the weekend.

It was the beginning of the World Series that was won last year by New Zealand and the year before by, er, New Zealand and the year before by, uhm, you guessed it.

New Zealand's supremacy in Sevens did not stretch to a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games - South Africa beat them in the final - but in the World Series they are always a safe bet to win the competition outright.

In fact, there are two near-certainties on the circuit - New Zealand will be excellent and Scotland will be disappointing.

You can set your clock by the Scots failing in Sevens. They've done it so often now that nobody bats an eyelid anymore.

The Scots got nowhere at the Gold Coast event. They lost to Fiji and Australia (understandable), drew with Portugal (woeful but predictable), beat American Samoa (not particularly hard) and lost to France (again, you could see it coming).

France are no great shakes at Sevens and yet they walloped Scotland 26-0.

Put those results alongside the last Sevens competition of last season - in England - and the Commonwealth Games matches and Scotland have played 15, won four, lost 10 and drawn one.
New Zealand's Sherwin Stowers in full flight for his side against Samoa at the Gold Coast Sevens

Actually, look at the entire history of Scotland on the Sevens circuit and you would need to be a forensic scientist to find much, if any, improvement despite a vast financial outlay.

And here's the thing. Nobody cares. There has been little or no progress and there is no fallout from failure, because it does not matter to people.

True, huge numbers turned up at Ibrox for the Commonwealth Games but huge numbers turned up everywhere. Thousands watched the bowls and the judo and most of those people will never see a bowler or a judoka perform again for the rest of their days.

A more accurate measure of Sevens' popularity in Scotland came when the world series was hosted here. Ibrox was not required. Nor Murrayfield. They housed everybody very comfortably at Scotstoun and had plenty of space left over.

The Scottish team just chug along to the next glamorous venue and then the next. After Australia they visit Dubai, South Africa, USA, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong before finishing up at Glasgow and then London. They go everywhere but they are going nowhere.

It's hard to get a precise figure on how much this all costs but the estimate is about a half a million to a million quid a year from sportscotland. It's fair to say that in the four-year cycle from Commonwealth Games to Commonwealth Games, the Sevens side is backed to the tune of in the region of £4m.

That's a sum that will make other sports green with envy and anger. The Scottish Rugby Union has just pulled-off a multi-million pound deal for the naming of Murrayfield and yet they still profit from sportscotland's largesse.

This is done because of a medal-chase. Millions of pounds shovelled into a sport that already generates fortunes all in the vain hope of winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Scotland haven't even come close in the past. There is nothing to suggest they are getting any closer. So why throw good money after bad?

Whatever the exact number from sportscotland and however much that number is topped-up by the SRU, you have to wonder why.

A medal? If it ever comes, it will be one of the most expensive medals in history.
When other sports with the ability to reach young people from poorer areas of society - basketball and boxing and more - could badly do with an injection of funding it becomes all the more unjustifiable to throw money at a governing body that's just done a £20m deal with BT.
While we're at it, what is in it for the SRU? Nobody at Murrayfield can reasonably argue that progress is being made in the Sevens world. In an ideal scenario Sevens would help produce and develop young players who would then go on to play for Edinburgh or Glasgow and maybe Scotland.

If that was happening regularly, or even semi-regularly, then you could see a rationale. But it's not happening.

If anything, the opposite is the case. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Sevens team had to rely on the XV-man game to fill its squad with acceptable quality.
If it's not winning anything, or threatening to win anything, and it's not producing players then what is the point? Why persist in funding when it's not washing its face?

Round two of the circuit takes place in December. Expect more of the same from Scotland. And don't expect anybody to get too upset about it.

I have to say, I do like the 7s but they do take up a lot of resources for a fairly meager return. However, given that Sport Scotland mainly funds them as opposed to the SRU, it isn't affecting development of rugby. Whether the money should be transferred to other sports is a topic for discussion elsewhere.

So, does Scotland need a 7s team?

On one hand, we don't do very well.

On the other hand, there were a few youngsters involved at the weekend that probably wouldn't have been involved for either Edinburgh or Glasgow, so maybe that is a good thing?

[George Carlin]

I'm afraid that I'm going to poo in the salad here and say that it has been my long term view that 7s is a howling waste of money. Other than to give Lee Jones a chance to play rugby without being sat on by a 20 stone lock, it is very difficult to see what it is good for - you cannot even regard it as a development feeder for clubs as the 7s physiology and skillset is so very different from 15s now.

The bottom line? Ireland doesn't have a 7s side. You tell me - how is Irish rugby doing at the moment? I would say 'rather well'.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm a fan of 7s but I don't think we use it particularly well. Too many "specialist" players and not enough development of younger talent.

The proof that it isn't working is the fact that Edinburgh and Glasgow in recent seasons have looked to NSQ players for the wings, and there seems to be a real dearth of young Scottish speed merchants coming through.

When your pro sides are signing Brett Thompson and Taylor Paris I think you can legitimately query the purpose of 7s. When was the last time a 7s player progressed from 7s to senior rugby? It seems to be more for rehab these days, and to give a small handful of not very good specialists a comfortable life.

I'd hate to see Scotland not represented, but if we aren't going to use it to develop players then it's a waste of resource.

[demosthenes]

The bottom line? Ireland doesn't have a 7s side. You tell me - how is Irish rugby doing at the moment? I would say 'rather well'.

I may be completely wrong, but I thought I saw an announcement recently that the Irish were going to start up a sevens squad?

[RDW]

Ireland aren't really comparable as they have 4 pro teams who each have A teams that play regular rugby.

They don't really need a 7s team to develop young players.

But again the question is - does our 7s squad really develop young players?

[George Carlin]

Ireland aren't really comparable as they have 4 pro teams who each have A teams that play regular rugby.

They don't really need a 7s team to develop young players.

But again the question is - does our 7s squad really develop young players?

Completely agree - chicken and egg. The only game that matters internationally is 15s. We need a third pro team. Before that, we need to put schools infrastructure in place and make sure that the new academies are well funded, their programmes are structured and academic staff are employed. Ergo, we really, really cannot afford a 7s team.

As FES says, it's ridiculous that Fleming and Farndale were kept away from the Edinburgh set up for years when we are buying in people like Brett Thompson.

[reallybored]

Was impressed with Russell against Ulster, he's just so confident and composed when taking the ball to the line.  Able to create space for team mates or have a pop himself.

Really think he could make a big difference to Scotland, like Hogg he just seems to ooze class when he's got the ball.  Obviously he's got a fair bit to go before he's the complete package but with his reliable goal kicking and attacking game he could be just the conductors we need to get the best from our strike runners in the backs.

[funnyExiledScot]

It's just a shame we can't get Russell, Scott and Dunbar together in time for the AIs. It would make a huge difference if that trio could play together throughout the AIs and the 6 Nations ahead of the World Cup, with Hogg at 15 learning to read them and when to hit the line.

[George Carlin]

Yes, it seems an odd thing to say but unless Cotter picks one 10 and sticks with them throughout the AIs and 6 Nations, our RWC campaign could really be fecked. He cannot 'do a Scott Johnson' any longer.

He needs to choose his guys now and tell them that they are the incumbents on merit and that they have to learn to play together as a unit.

[VinceWLB]

Rugby union is rugby union, 7 is 7.

I don't like using 7 as a development path for players,,terrible idea, you will end up with players who can't tackle and have no clue what to do at the breakdown. Matches format is nowhere near similar too.
Irish system is once again spot on.

[TJ]

Scotlands problem is we do not have enough quality players for 7s and 15s internationally. So the 7s in its current format is simply a waste of time and money

[Nematode]

Put it this way with sevens.

- You're not really going to get the likes of Nel, Ford or Welsh playing sevens. Even if you did have a highly mobile front rower (like Brits) they are rare and wouldn't really develop useful skills, i.e. scrummaging.
- Most second rows won't play (unless they're like Nakarawa) - Jonny Gray, Gilchrist etc highlight this.

That alone means the sevens will not provide you with at least 1/3 of a Pro XV rugby side.

You can go further by arguing that sevens doesn't help develop ALL the skills needed like playing at semi-pro XV a-side rugby would.

At the end of the day, at the +~£1m price tag sevens isn't really worth it. That money could have perhaps bought SBW instead of Strauss...

On a side note, it's Poland 1 - 1 Scotland at HT. Great to see a Scottish sporting side actually moving forward.

[demosthenes]

Tend to agree, although you could argue that sevens skills are enhancing Glasgows play, especially in the backs.

[EWT Spoons]

I think there is a place for 7s, I just don’t think we as a nation have worked out what that place is yet.  I mean if you look at NZ the list of players who have played 7s for them and gone onto become full 15 players is impressive.  Some of the names below have been/are amongst the best players of their generation.  Sure there is the argument that AB players are generally very good and them playing 7s might be totally unrelated, but it’s still impressive.  I think we just need to get the 7s to a point where it is a feeder for full 15 rugby.  This might come as a result of the academy structure, get the young backs to play a season at 7s level to help their development.


NZ 7s players

Name
Charles Piutau
Joe Rokocoko
Onosai Tololima-Auva'a
Edwin Cocker
Jerome Kaino
Amasio Valence
Scott Curry
Charles Baxter
Toby Arnold
Tanerau Latimer
Tu Umaga-Marshall
Dallas Seymour
DJ Forbes
Jonah Lomu
Tim Nanai-Williams
Chad Tuoro
Sherwin Stowers
Fritz Lee
Gillies Kaka
Trinity Spooner-Neera
Zac Guildford
Tafai Ioasa
Israel Dagg
Tomasi Cama
Kurt Baker
Solomon King
Rico Gear
Karl Te Nana
Eric Rush
David Raikuna
Matua Parkinson
Vilame Waqaseduadua
Anthony Tuitavake
Nafi Tuitavake
Zar Lawrence
Bryce Heem
Rene Ranger
Josh Blackie
Ben Smith
Alando Soakai
Paul Grant
Adam Thomson
Ben Souness
Jackson Ormond
Beauden Barrett
Kylem O'Donnell
Scott Waldrom
James Marshall
Shane Christie
Tim Mikkelson
Frank Halai
Glen Robertson
Joe Webber
Declan O'Donnell
Liam Messam
Bruce Reihana
Sosene Anesi
Rory Grice
Waisake Masirewa
Luke Masirewa
Mils Muliaina
Savenaca Tokula
Roger Randle
Lote Raikabula
Christian Cullen
Hosea Gear
Cory Jane
Tamati Ellison
Brad Fleming
Nigel Hunt
Buxton Popoali'i
Victor Vito
Julian Savea
Rodney So'oialo
Ruki Tipuna
Taleta Leka Tupuola

[tigertattie]

With the backrow cupboard at Edinburgh becoming emptier by the week, could we see a return of McInally to the backrow ???

[George Carlin]

Or Richie Vernon making a move along the M8 to recapture his former loose forward 'glories'. Perhaps there's someone playing in Bristol who could fill in?

[VinceWLB]

I think we are likely to see McKenzie at 6, maybe even this week.

[BigGee]

With the backrow cupboard at Edinburgh becoming emptier by the week, could we see a return of McInally to the backrow ???

Edinburgh not exactly overflowing with decent hookers either! I expect having gone through all the effort of converting he will probably want to give it a go in practice. Assuming he ever gets fit that is!

[tigertattie]

I think we are likely to see McKenzie at 6, maybe even this week.

it's at 8 where we are having an issue now!

Watson should be left at 7 with Leonardi at 6 with captain Coman going into 8 I would think!

Not exactly the world's most formidable backrow is it!

[George Carlin]

Bloody hell.

Anyone seen our new 'angry' international jersey?:


Order yours now on http://shop.scottishrugby.org/eu/scottish-rugby/match-kit.html.

Or, er, don't.

[tigertattie]

Haven't we discussed this yet????

its pretty rank eh! At least it is more scarlet than the scarlet's strip!

[cakeordeath]

Bloody hell.

Anyone seen our new 'angry' international jersey?:


Order yours now on http://shop.scottishrugby.org/eu/scottish-rugby/match-kit.html.

Or, er, don't.

Still not as bad as that orange monstrosity we had

[cakeordeath]

Had a quick squint at the Neglected Children of Irish Rugby vs. The Great Unwashed thread....

A lot of those Ulster lads carry a massive chip on their shoulders.

I think it is just about to go into overdrive

[Nematode]

Can we not just keep the standard first kit that we have atm and navy shorts and a white top as a change strip? Btw, have the wallabies ever had/needed a change strip?

TBH, in the picture on the website it doesn't look as bad:

[funnyExiledScot]

They've probably read that study that says statistically the more successful teams play in red. Sir Clive talked about it before the Lions tour in 2005....

Can't see the jersey suddenly making Brown a better openside, or Weir a competent fly half.

[InjuredYetAgain]

Back onto 7s. I went off on one a while ago about the cost of the team and was assured that by the time SportScotland give a grant, money comes from Commonwealth Games funding plus the Emirates sponsorship of flights, the SRU actually make money from the escalades of the 7s squad.
At least we know the SRU will never need to pay for champagne or a winners slap-up meal.
The standard of player is guff compared to so called lesser countries.
Oh and Colin Gregor struts around like he thinks he is Dan Carter.I genuinely think he holds the team back.
As does an inability to tackle. And run quickly. And pass.

[RDW]

As does an inability to tackle. And run quickly. And pass.

Sign him up for Edinburgh!

[BigGee]

Back onto 7s. I went off on one a while ago about the cost of the team and was assured that by the time SportScotland give a grant, money comes from Commonwealth Games funding plus the Emirates sponsorship of flights, the SRU actually make money from the escalades of the 7s squad.
At least we know the SRU will never need to pay for champagne or a winners slap-up meal.
The standard of player is guff compared to so called lesser countries.
Oh and Colin Gregor struts around like he thinks he is Dan Carter.I genuinely think he holds the team back.
As does an inability to tackle. And run quickly. And pass.

I thought that Gregor would call it a day after the CG, maybe move into coaching. It is not really clear what he is playing on for now. It does kind of defeat the, 'developing players for the future argument'. He has been a good servant to the game and I am sure has a development role if he chooses to stay in the game. In sevens though, when the legs are gone, they are gone, even more than in fifteens.

[InjuredYetAgain]

As does an inability to tackle. And run quickly. And pass.

Sign him up for Edinburgh!

And add cant scrummage too. I bet if Nelly ever played 7s, he would get binned for collapsing the scrum

[Pete330v2]

The Ulster v Glasgow thread has been locked but I just felt I had to say something important to me at least. BigGee, you added to the thread to say that we should draw a line and realise that the most important thing was that Bennett had recovered and was absolutely fine. Absolutely correct sir and a point well made. See you Weegies soon

[GLove39]

Shame the threads closed, was looking forward to chucking my opinion in, but given how some users were sullying their reputation probably fair enough...

Moving on as BG & Pete have said time indeed to draw a line, and bigger picture its great that the is fine.

[George Carlin]

You might even say that the Messiah rose again.

[sensisball]

Great news that Bennett is ok. What would be almost as good would be if big Vern recognised that a Dunbar and Bennett midfield would be the way to unlock the full potential of a scotland back 3. Unfortunately he preferred to allow MB to tootle along to the Commonwealth 7's instead of including him as 1 of a cast of thousands for the summer tour(s). IMO this is the most worrying aspect of Dot Cotton's early days in charge. I keep thinking the worst in that having seen MB day in, day out at Clermont for a season and a half( including some substantial injury lay-off ) he reckons he aint up to the job.

His continuing banishment means that until Matt Scott is fit to play along side Dunbar he is happy to see SLamont or, god forbid, De Luca ( anyone know how he is doing at Biarrittz?) playing in the autumn series ahead of the chosen one. This vexes me severely almost as much as the belief that Grant Gilchrist is an international quality lock!

[George Carlin]

Centres is interesting for us now.

A - Scott 12 and Dunbar 13 should be our first choice pairing. Maddens me that they've never really had a good run together.

B - If one of those is injured, then in order of preference:

1. Bennett
2. Taylor
3. Fife
4. Hogg (making 15 Maitland 11 Visser 14 Seymour)
5. Horne
6. Lamont
....
35. Chris Paterson
36. Alan Jacobson
37. Uncle Dougie
38. Vernon

[funnyExiledScot]

Harsh to put Horne behind Fife, one being a centre and the other a winger (so far). It also wouldn't be 606v2 without my customary gripe about Alex Grove, who ought to fit in somewhere between Lamont and Uncle Dougie.

What also of the squashed goblin, or was he number 39?

[IanBru]

I think we can rule out SG until at least Christmas - he, like everyone else, will still be doubled over with laughter at Brother Thom's 'mouth of wonder' on Strictly.

[George Carlin]

Harsh to put Horne behind Fife, one being a centre and the other a winger (so far). It also wouldn't be 606v2 without my customary gripe about Alex Grove, who ought to fit in somewhere between Lamont and Uncle Dougie.

What also of the squashed goblin, or was he number 39?

He is number 41, after 'the bloke that sweeps the changing rooms at Murrayfield' and 'Andy Irvine'.

[tigertattie]

Harsh to put Horne behind Fife, one being a centre and the other a winger (so far). It also wouldn't be 606v2 without my customary gripe about Alex Grove, who ought to fit in somewhere between Lamont and Uncle Dougie.

What also of the squashed goblin, or was he number 39?

He is number 41, after 'the bloke that sweeps the changing rooms at Murrayfield' and 'Andy Irvine'.

Speaking of fogotten Evans', did I see Thom Evans on the Bruce Forsythe dancing show?

[funnyExiledScot]

Harsh to put Horne behind Fife, one being a centre and the other a winger (so far). It also wouldn't be 606v2 without my customary gripe about Alex Grove, who ought to fit in somewhere between Lamont and Uncle Dougie.

What also of the squashed goblin, or was he number 39?

He is number 41, after 'the bloke that sweeps the changing rooms at Murrayfield' and 'Andy Irvine'.

Speaking of fogotten Evans', did I see Thom Evans on the Bruce Forsythe dancing show?

You did. Being under house arrest as a result of BabyfES, I watched that on Saturday. Thom Evans is by some distance the most boring individual I have ever seen - he makes Andy Murray sound like Billy Connolly by comparison.

[George Carlin]

Harsh to put Horne behind Fife, one being a centre and the other a winger (so far). It also wouldn't be 606v2 without my customary gripe about Alex Grove, who ought to fit in somewhere between Lamont and Uncle Dougie.

What also of the squashed goblin, or was he number 39?

He is number 41, after 'the bloke that sweeps the changing rooms at Murrayfield' and 'Andy Irvine'.

Speaking of fogotten Evans', did I see Thom Evans on the Bruce Forsythe dancing show?

You did. Being under house arrest as a result of BabyfES, I watched that on Saturday. Thom Evans is by some distance the most boring individual I have ever seen - he makes Andy Murray sound like Billy Connolly by comparison.

I get the sense that his recent girlfriends (and post-menopausal housewives up and down the land) weren't with him for his spectacularly erudite banter, insight or pathos. He is prettier than most Scottish women. ()

[funnyExiledScot]

True - although I heard a rumour the other day that he's knobbing his dancing partner so for Mrs GC and many others across the land I fear the dream is over.....

[RuggerRadge2611]

Centres is interesting for us now.

A - Scott 12 and Dunbar 13 should be our first choice pairing. Maddens me that they've never really had a good run together.

B - If one of those is injured, then in order of preference:

1. Bennett
2. Taylor
3. Fife
4. Hogg (making 15 Maitland 11 Visser 14 Seymour)
5. Horne
6. Lamont Rugger Radge
....
35. Chris Paterson
36. Alan Jacobson
37. Uncle Dougie
38. Vernon

Fixed that one for you. Lamont in the centre has been tried, tested and failed. I don't want him anywhere near the 1st XV let alone anywhere near the centre.

As for the Crimson Scottish shirt..... I like it. Maybs thats the Welsh blood in me or something.

[RDW]

Maybs thats the Welsh blood in me or something.

You kept that quiet!

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