Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread XV Men Chasing An Egg?!

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

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Edinburgh & Glasgow Warriors

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A NOT SO BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME-WASTING   (CLICK TO SHOW/HIDE):

1872 Cup

Champions                Runner up
Edinburgh                  Glasgow Warriors
 

1872 CUP - PAST RESULTS   (CLICK TO SHOW/HIDE):

Guinness Pro12

Guinness Pro12 Website
Edinburgh Rugby (Pro12 Website)
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Guinness Pro12 2016/17 Overview (Ultimate Rugby)



Playlist of all of Edinburgh's Pro12 highlights here.
Playlist of all of Glasgow's Pro12 highlights here.

Europe

European Rugby Website

CHAMPIONS CUP
QUARTER FINAL
SARACENS v GLASGOW WARRIORS
Sun, Apr 2, 13:00, Allianz Park

CHALLENGE CUP
QUARTER FINAL
EDINBURGH v LA ROCHELLE
Fri, March 31, 19:00, Murrayfield Stadium

Both European Finals are at Murrayfield.

[George Carlin]

Lamont Seymour.  They've all got beards and look the same.

How terribly racist.

[Pot Hale]

Good game.

Well done Glasgow. That's 6th spot cemented I reckon.

[Marshes]

Ugh. That is such a missed opportunity for Connacht. Congrats to the Glasgow lads, very professional when down to 14, and clinical with any chances they had. Fraser Brown made some ridiculous turnovers!

[Pot Hale]

Lamont Seymour.  They've all got beards and look the same.

How terribly racist.

I was going to go with these young fellas all look the same....

[Pot Hale]

Ugh. That is such a missed opportunity for Connacht. Congrats to the Glasgow lads, very professional when down to 14, and clinical with any chances they had. Fraser Brown made some ridiculous turnovers!

Agreed Marshes. Lam will be pissed at that result. The run-in ain't easy. Luckily Cardiff lost today so the playoff qualifier spot is still up for grabs.

[jimbopip]

Schlong, Schlong wherever he may be.
Hornee Junior looks a bit special too.

Will Swinson automatically miss the Saracens match? he could, possibly, argue he was trying to dislodge the ball but you'd have to be the love child of BOD and POC to pull that one off.

[Eejit]

George Horne looked lively when he came on. The Mike Blair scrum half machine working well.

Definately worth it to hear the commentators struggling with the Horne/Horne 9/10 axis.

[BigGee]

No Sarries for Swinson unfortunately, he will definitely cop a few weeks for that one. Still JG and Big Brian are no bad partnership and Cummings will manage the bench.

That was a very satisfying win, but boy did we have to work for it and it was amazing that we were still in the game at half time.

Some really pleasing performances. All the internationals looked in good shape, except Gordie Reid, who nearly got carded himself and concussed himself in the process. Dunbar and Brown really showed what they are all about, why is no-one mentioning Frazer Brown as a possible Lion. It will be good to see how he faces off against George next weekend.

I thought the two young kids Smith and Horne Jr were outstanding as well in their time on the pitch. Matt Smith made 17 tackles in his 60 mins and did a couple of great carries in the build up to Finn's try. George Horne just looks like he has an awful lot of time on the ball and will surely be our third SH next season when Hart and the Fijian head off to pastures new.

Well we needed a bonus point win and we got one. The league is not quite dead yet and we go to London in good shape.

[cakeordeath]

Quite strong words from Toonie about the red card, and a small dig at the ref

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/10814276/swinson-red-carded

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Quite strong words from Toonie about the red card, and a small dig at the ref

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/10814276/swinson-red-carded

An absolute disgrace from Townsend to make some mealy mouthed excuses for what was basically an assault on a player or his selective memory of other incidents. Lam got it completely right. Interesting to note how Glasgows level of violent incidences has increased this year with the decline of their win ratio. Three red cards in the pro 12 this year. All Glasgow. Says it all really

[David-Douglas]

Quite strong words from Toonie about the red card, and a small dig at the ref

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/10814276/swinson-red-carded

An absolute disgrace from Townsend to make some mealy mouthed excuses for what was basically an assault on a player or his selective memory of other incidents. Lam got it completely right. Interesting to note how Glasgows level of violent incidences has increased this year with the decline of their win ratio. Three red cards in the pro 12 this year. All Glasgow. Says it all really

It was a fully justified red for Swinson, but calling it an assault is a bit OTT. He was trying to dislodge the ball but it went wrong when the player was forced down when tackled.
Unfortunately Lam didn't get it completely right. To do that he would have had to admit that the Connacht 10 almost ripping out Horne's throats was a disgrace, but of course he didn't. Coaches don't often criticise their players in public.

For your info, one of Glasgows red cards this season was rescinded.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

And what would be your take on the tackles on Marmion and Adeyolukum in relation to the Connacht no 10 which deserved a yellow. I suppose they were just accidental. BTW congratulations on still having 100% of the pro 12 red cards this year

[David-Douglas]

And what would be your take on the tackles on Marmion and Adeyolukum in relation to the Connacht no 10 which deserved a yellow. I suppose they were just accidental. BTW congratulations on still having 100% of the pro 12 red cards this year

Probably not as bad as the 'tackle' on Horne. But that's just my opinion.

I don't play in the Pro12 so I haven't had any red cards.

[RuggerRadge2611]

That looked like an accident. Clear cut red though

[Eejit]

Quite strong words from Toonie about the red card, and a small dig at the ref

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/10814276/swinson-red-carded

An absolute disgrace from Townsend to make some mealy mouthed excuses for what was basically an assault on a player or his selective memory of other incidents. Lam got it completely right. Interesting to note how Glasgows level of violent incidences has increased this year with the decline of their win ratio. Three red cards in the pro 12 this year. All Glasgow. Says it all really

Assume this is a wum.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Quite strong words from Toonie about the red card, and a small dig at the ref

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/10814276/swinson-red-carded

An absolute disgrace from Townsend to make some mealy mouthed excuses for what was basically an assault on a player or his selective memory of other incidents. Lam got it completely right. Interesting to note how Glasgows level of violent incidences has increased this year with the decline of their win ratio. Three red cards in the pro 12 this year. All Glasgow. Says it all really

Assume this is a wum.

Of course it is. Swinson was just trying to dislodge the ball by attempting to punch the player, the injuries to Marmion and adeyoulokum from the tackles were just your average Glaswegian sign of affection and Gregor Townsend is not only blind but completely losing his faculties

[cakeordeath]

It's also worth pointing out there have been 4 red cards this season. 2 for Glasgow, 1 for Ulster, and 1 for Leinster. So the interviewer was talking out his hoop. Maybe some people should check their facts before trying to have a dig

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

And what would be your take on the tackles on Marmion and Adeyolukum in relation to the Connacht no 10 which deserved a yellow. I suppose they were just accidental. BTW congratulations on still having 100% of the pro 12 red cards this year

Presumably you'd like to acknowledge that you were entirely wrong about Glasgow having 100% of the pro 12 red cards this year?

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Brilliant. It's only 50% of red cards. That's a lot better alright. Maybe someone from Glasgow would want to own up to the nastiness happening on the field rather than make excuses. Disgraceful from Townsend.

[IanBru]

Hmmm... Munster supporter?

[EST]

It's interesting how a narrative like this starts, a few stupid press releases from Connor Murray and co, a daft interview from Sky looking for a reaction and suddenly Glasgow are the nastiest team around.

It's nonsense of course, Toonie was defending himself and his team from the ridiculous interviewer who A) had his facts wrong, and B) was trying to provoke a reaction to further the narrative above. The Warriors are no more/less aggressive than any other pro team.

Onto the game, which was really enjoyable. Connacht are my second favourite team I think, the way they keep hold of the ball from 1-15 is a marvel, and they back themselves from anywhere on the pitch - great rugby. Question marks around their defence, which was very poor indeed last night.

From a Glasgow perspective, I thought Horne jnr and Smith both looked very comfortable at this level, Russell put in a very composed performance - he is definitely developing the tactical side of his game, and Darcy Rae is looking more and more like a very competent back up TH. Final words for the Shlong - was brilliant to see him score at the end, he has been a fantastic servant to the cause, and after tonight I can see him getting a few more run outs yet.

[EST]

I should probably add that I do think the Swinson card was justified, I dont think it was intentional, but very clumsy and reckless.

[funnyExiledScot]

Quite strong words from Toonie about the red card, and a small dig at the ref

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/10814276/swinson-red-carded

An absolute disgrace from Townsend to make some mealy mouthed excuses for what was basically an assault on a player or his selective memory of other incidents. Lam got it completely right. Interesting to note how Glasgows level of violent incidences has increased this year with the decline of their win ratio. Three red cards in the pro 12 this year. All Glasgow. Says it all really

Snowflake central.

[jimbopip]

George Horne looked lively when he came on. The Mike Blair scrum half machine working well.

Definately worth it to hear the commentators struggling with the Horne/Horne 9/10 axis.

It's worth noting that Archie Russell plays in the centres: we could see Horne-Russell-Horne-Russell.

To avoid confusion maybe we'd better consider giving the players nicknames.

[funnyExiledScot]

George Horne looked lively when he came on. The Mike Blair scrum half machine working well.

Definately worth it to hear the commentators struggling with the Horne/Horne 9/10 axis.

It's worth noting that Archie Russell plays in the centres: we could see Horne-Russell-Horne-Russell.

To avoid confusion maybe we'd better consider giving the players nicknames.

The Welsh have coped with this problem since the game started. Has there ever been a Welsh backline without at least one Jones, Evans or Williams in it?? They distinguish their players by grading them according to how World Class they are. That could work for Glasgow fans as well.....

By the way, congratulations to Melrose and, or course, Ayr for success at the weekend.

[beshocked]

How you Glasgow guys feeling before your trip to Allianz Park? Cautiously optimistic?

One aspect in your favour is that the artificial pitch won't phase you.

If you get forward parity I think you'll cause real problems but it's a big if because this Saracens team has a significant contingent of the England pack.

Some more Lions auditions to look forward to.

From a Scottish perspective you should be pleased with Maitland, nice preparation for the Glasgow game with a  strong performance vs Bath. Still think it was harsh to drop him for Scotland.

[jimbopip]

beshocked, speaking only for myself, it feels rather like the build up to Twickers: it's either going to be a cracking, close game with very little in it, OR Sarries get off to a flyer and Glasgow get absolutely humped.

Mind you if it's to be decided on an early, stupid Yellow Card my money's on Hagrid rather than KEM this time.

[beshocked]

I am wary of this Glasgow team as you have plenty of firepower in the backs. No complacency here. I think we'll deservedly start favourites but Bath hurt Saracens in the turnover count, if Glasgow can generate good counterattacking ball for the likes of Russell,Dunbar and Hogg....

[funnyExiledScot]

I am wary of this Glasgow team as you have plenty of firepower in the backs. No complacency here. I think we'll deservedly start favourites but Bath hurt Saracens in the turnover count, if Glasgow can generate good counterattacking ball for the likes of Russell,Dunbar and Hogg....

If Barritt starts at 12 for Sarries then the contest between him and Dunbar will be brutal. Both hard men who specialise in making the players around them look good. Both can be auxiliary flankers if needed as well.

I do think the Sarries pack will be too strong though. Billy V looks to be making up for lost time, and Itoje will want to make sure he's working at least as hard as Jonny Gray. Saracens' ability to control tempo and do the basics suggests to me that they'll have too much.

[IanBru]

It's strange, Beshocked - I simply don't know how to feel about it.

Part of me simply thinks "We've done well to get this far, so everything from here on is a bonus." - it's certainly a comforting thought to know that all the pressure is on Saracens. Like England, they will at some point fail to win the league and fail to win Europe. At that point, we all know the knives will be out in the media. For Glasgow, anything short of a humiliation will still be seen by the media as a successful season. Of course, both forms of treatment are unfair!

I say ‘I don’t know’ because there’s no real data point to look at. Both Saracens and Glasgow play in such idiosyncratic styles – Saracens are hugely intense, they look to dominate physically, yet remain pragmatic and prey off mistakes on opposition ball. Glasgow are hugely dynamic, athletic and clinical, and thrive when they have long periods of possession. More than anything, I’m excited – this is the matchup that I’ve wanted to see for years, to see just how good Glasgow can be.

This has the feeling of our playoff game against Munster in 2014 - when we won it, it really was one of my greatest experiences at Scotstoun, you could almost touch the atmosphere in the air, it was electric, tense, frankly magical. But winning that game took so much out of the team that we had no more emotional energy left for the final, where we were blown away by Leinster. The year after, we played worse in the playoff, but managed to do the ‘blowing away’ ourselves in the final.

I can see us winning against Saracens, but I think to do it would require a really super-human effort. What I’m more hopeful of is that this signals a more consistent appearance in the knockout stages.

Whatever happens, with 5,000 Glaswegians turning up, we’re going to be LOUD!

[beshocked]

Ianbru not sure I'd say all the pressure is on Saracens. Glasgow are playing for Scottish pride and Lions spots. Opportunity to avenge that Twickenham game.

Home advantage cannot be underestimated. It's why I think it's unlikely any away side will win in Europe this weekend. Allianz Park might not be perhaps as imposing as Thomond Park or Michelin stadium but it's still one of the tougher challenges. Sides like Clermont,Toulon,Toulouse,Ulster and Munster have tried but come up short.

[jimbopip]

It's strange, Beshocked - I simply don't know how to feel about it.



This has the feeling of our playoff game against Munster in 2014 - when we won it, it really was one of my greatest experiences at Scotstoun, you could almost touch the atmosphere in the air, it was electric, tense, frankly magical.
Whatever happens, with 5,000 Glaswegians turning up, we’re going to be LOUD!

Electric, tense and magical...perfect adjectives to describe your first meeting with the Schizoid one, who, incidentally will be at Allianz with full entourage so noise is guaranteed.

Statistically, the Schlong made most yards of all our backs against the Craggy Islanders. Should he start? I shall attempt to refrain from predicting the starting XV as I think this could be the Tombolas last hurrah, or finest moment.

[jimbopip]

Ianbru not sure I'd say all the pressure is on Saracens. Glasgow are playing for Scottish pride and Lions spots. Opportunity to avenge that Twickenham game.

Home advantage cannot be underestimated. It's why I think it's unlikely any away side will win in Europe this weekend. Allianz Park might not be perhaps as imposing as Thomond Park or Michelin stadium but it's still one of the tougher challenges. Sides like Clermont,Toulon,Toulouse,Ulster and Munster have tried but come up short.

Mr Shocked, while I agree 100% with you here I do feel we will be surprised at how many Glaswegian exiles have bought tickets as well as the 4000 the club have sold to "home based " supporters. It'll be loud.

[IanBru]

Jim - Toonie's saying in the Guardian it could be up to 6,000! Amazeballs.

As I'm such an amazing guy, I'll do the next Banter thread - feel it's my turn.

[jimbopip]

Fine man that you are, Bru.

I've just booked the last car park space at Hendon Rugby Club, which is 300 yards from the stadium. Apparently it's on the Warriors site as a pre match meeting place. So why don't we meet there. I will bring my youngest born child as you requested and once you have passed over the tickets you may commence the sacrificial rites.

[jimbopip]

Lads... I've been following the various Lions threads and it drove me to check my favourite book about Lions selection issues. It's called "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austin-Healey. The first sentence says it all...

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Scotsman in possession of a great talent must be in want of a disqualifying weakness."

[funnyExiledScot]

Lads... I've been following the various Lions threads and it drove me to check my favourite book about Lions selection issues. It's called "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austin-Healey. The first sentence says it all...

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Scotsman in possession of a great talent must be in want of a disqualifying weakness."

That was both clever and funny.

[IanBru]

To quote Josiah Bartlett: "You get extra points for being both funny and right at the same time."

[funnyExiledScot]

To quote Josiah Bartlett: "You get extra points for being both funny and right at the same time."

Don't quote Josiah Bartlett in these sad times.

[IanBru]

To quote Josiah Bartlett: "You get extra points for being both funny and right at the same time."

Don't quote Josiah Bartlett in these sad times.

"If our children can buy p****graphy on any street corner for five dollars, isn't that too high a price to pay for free speech?"
"No."
"Really?"
"On the other hand, I think that five dollars is too high a price to pay for p****graphy."

[RuggerRadge2611]

Well that is going to get edited for me to stand any chance of getting on here tomorrow at work.

They make 'em extra dull in Newcastle eh Ian?

[IanBru]

Sorted mate!

[funnyExiledScot]

As a result of your post I watched two randomly selected West Wing episodes last night. Wonderful.

I wake up this morning to see that Trump has declared war on clean air. Sigh.

[EST]

Bath have just announced the signing of fly-half Josh Lewis from Ebbw Vale, I wonder if this heralds an announcement on Hastings move to Glasgow?

It would be a very sensible and good move for all parties.

[funnyExiledScot]

Bath have just announced the signing of fly-half Josh Lewis from Ebbw Vale, I wonder if this heralds an announcement on Hastings move to Glasgow?

It would be a very sensible and good move for all parties.

Glasgow!!? Glasgow already have a top notch fly half. How about he goes to Edinburgh and we give the Great Unwashed Duncan Weir back!!

[Hazel Sapling]

Stupid red card from Swinson. I have liked his play this season but he has a habit of doing something stupid late in close matches that change momentum at least once a season. As it were, his teammates made up for him. Personally I would have liked to see Swinson move on to another good Champions Cup side and let Cummings through but that is assuming we keep big Brian.

Connacht played wonderful rugby and are clearly the most free flowing team in the NH. They did seem to get tired at the hour mark and started knocking on. Glasgow needed to do better work at slowing the ball down and hitting behind the game line. That is where we miss Favaro even if Smith put in the tackles.

The Sarries game will be fascinating. Against Bath, their scrum was average and Glasgow will be bigger in the 2nd row with Swinson out if Sarries do not have Kruis (Hamilton or Rhodes are not overly inspiring). They like to be aggressive with the line speed so need Russell to dink kick a few times early to slow them down and give him time. We need huge performances in the loose cause their ball carrying is exceptional (Itoje, Vunipolas, Wray, Burger). This is where we miss a Wilson, Favaro and Strauss back row

[funnyExiledScot]

I do think the losses of Swinson, Favaro (if he's also out) and Strauss are massive for Glasgow. Those are real important forwards in the Glasgow pack, and Strauss in particular leaves an uncomfortable gap (I do think Big Brian can do a job in the boiler room).

On paper it's hard to see a Glasgow win.

[Tattie Scones RRN]

I see this going the way the Bath away game went a couple of years back. Key injuries in the forwards that subsequently gave Bath the upper hand in the set piece which effectively neutralised Glasgow's backs.

Stranger things have happened though.

[jimbopip]

Boys! Boys

We'll probably have a back row of
Tackle Monster-Arthur Ashe-Batman
There's no shortage of aggression there.
Yes, them Sarrie chappies haven't been beaten at home in europe for two years, or something. But WE ARE WARRIORS.

N.B. Haraald Hardradda hadn't lost a battle in TEN YEARS until he met with the numerically inferior fjird led by Harold Godwinson at Stamford Bridge. And Godwinson, great leader that he was, had a tackle completion percentage way , way behind Little Jonny's.
WE ARE WARRIORS.

[Tattie Scones RRN]

Boys! Boys

We'll probably have a back row of
Tackle Monster-Arthur Ashe-Batman
There's no shortage of aggression there.
Yes, them Sarrie chappies haven't been beaten at home in europe for two years, or something. But WE ARE WARRIORS.

N.B. Haraald Hardradda hadn't lost a battle in TEN YEARS until he met with the numerically inferior fjird led  by Harold Godwinson at Stamford Bridge. And Godwinson, great leader that he was, had a tackle completion percentage way , way behind Little Jonny's.
WE ARE WARRIORS.

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