Edinburgh and Glasgow – Continuing patter version 22 (it used to be a squad size)

by tigertattie Tue 12 Mar 2019, 10:56 am

First topic message reminder :

With the woes and injuries in the international camp just depressing us, lets look back to the club game.

Possible areas of discussion:
Edinburgh continue to hold the 1872 trophy
Edinburgh are getting a new ground
Edinburgh have a home Euro Champs cup game to look forward to
Edinburgh have a league fixture against the perpetual point givers, Glasgow, to look forward to
BigGee’s proposed Scotland XV for England has 8 Edinburgh players, 4 exiles and 3 Glasgow players so even the International team is starting to look representative of where rugby in Scotland truly exists.
It’s not all bad for Glasgow though as they sit above Munster in the Pro 14 and have Stafford McDowell on their books
Edinburgh have Hamish Watson though

by jimbopip Sat 16 Mar 2019, 8:56 pm

I honestly thought Aldi Price was having a decent game, and getting better as the game went on. Surprised by his substitution.
Ickle Jonny put a bit more bite into the proceedings.

Seven points up and in possession yet we managed not to win Shocked

But, there were a lot more positives; especially Darcy Micro.

by Eejit Sun 17 Mar 2019, 2:24 pm

Don’t think we can play the way we played in the first half and expect to win that game so not much to feel sorry about. Great sense of character to come back but there was an element of “f*ck it, let’s see if this works” to it all. We need to take elements of that and be more consistent. I personally think Eddie Jones is a bit of a cowboy and I don’t think we’d have won that game if Stuart Lancaster was England coach.

For the record, Aldi Price’s chip kick and regather was a thing of beauty, but for me Sam Johnson’s try might just be up there with my wedding night and the future moment when Jimbo Gets made moderator as greatest moment ever.

by jimbopip Sun 17 Mar 2019, 2:55 pm

Eejit wrote:Don’t think we can play the way we played in the first half and expect to win that game so not much to feel sorry about. Great sense of character to come back but there was an element of “f*ck it, let’s see if this works” to it all. We need to take elements of that and be more consistent. I personally think Eddie Jones is a bit of a cowboy and I don’t think we’d have won that game if Stuart Lancaster was England coach.

For the record, Aldi Price’s chip kick and regather was a thing of beauty, but for me Sam Johnson’s try might just be up there with my wedding night and the future moment when Jimbo Gets made moderator as greatest moment ever.

Just for clarity in the matter of attendance; I was there (televisually) and agree that Aldi price's chip and gather was a thing of beauty, I hope to be there and still compos mentis enough to enjoy the inevitable investiture and Modship, BUT I was nowhere, repeat nowhere, near the scene of the crime when Mrs Eejit tied him down and defrocked him. vomit

DEMAND ANOTHER REFERENDUM: JIMBOPIP THE PEOPLE'S MOD Red Card 1

by **RDW** Mon 18 Mar 2019, 8:41 am

https://www.606v2.com/t68580-scotland-6-nations-postmortem-and-wc-chat#3791876

Thought I'd pull all our 6N chat together onto one thread and give us a home for the build up to the world cup

by **BigGee** Mon 18 Mar 2019, 12:41 pm

Jamie Bhatti moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh confirmed on a two year deal.

Still seems to be a slightly odd move and suggests that DR is unconvinced about him, as allegedly he was not willing to give him a pay rise and also that Cockers is less than sold on Sutherland and he wants a better second string LH.

All a bit odd really, but there you are.

It leaves Glasgow short of a LH as well, though my money would be on Gordon Reid coming back up the road from London Irish. Toonie still seems to fancy him as our next best option and at 32 he surely has a few decent years left in him.

Watch this space.

by Eejit Mon 18 Mar 2019, 12:41 pm

Edit: bloody Gee got there first

by **RDW** Mon 18 Mar 2019, 12:42 pm

Edinburgh have continued to strengthen their squad ahead of next season with the signing of Scotland international loosehead prop, Jamie Bhatti, on a two-year deal.

Bhatti, 25, has made 13 appearances for the national side – the latest coming against Ireland in round two of the 2019 Guinness Six Nations – and will join the capital outfit from Glasgow Warriors following the conclusion of the current Guinness PRO14 campaign.

On signing for Edinburgh, Bhatti said: “I’ve really enjoyed my three years at Glasgow Warriors and want to thank the coaches and staff that I worked with at Scotstoun.

“I met with Richard Cockerill and liked what he had to say about the opportunity at Edinburgh. There’s a great squad already in place, that are all pulling in the same direction, and I’m excited to be a part of that for the next two seasons.”

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, added: “Jamie has been a quality pro at Glasgow for a number for years, so we’re delighted that he’s chosen to come across and join us here in Edinburgh.

“His addition creates a great amount of competition at the loosehead position and we’re looking forward to seeing him kick on and gain some further experience with this talented squad.”

Having come through the ranks at Perthshire side Hillfoots RFC, Bhatti moved onto Tennent’s Premiership side Stirling County, where he progressed through the Bridgehaugh club’s age-grade set-up.

Bhatti – who is a graduate of the Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy – represented Scotland at under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels, and lifted the Scottish Cup after joining Melrose ahead of the 2016/17 season.

The international prop made his Warriors debut in a pre-season friendly against Canada A in 2016 and made his competitive debut against Scarlets in the same campaign.

Bhatti received his first call-up to the national team ahead of the 2017 Autumn Tests, coming off the bench in all three games against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

His Six Nations debut came in 2018, with the loosehead prop coming off the bench in all five matches as Scotland recorded a third-place finish.

by **RDW** Mon 18 Mar 2019, 12:52 pm

I'm quite happy about this - he's a decent player and with the right coaching could become a good player. He should be able to slot straight in as well compared to a NSQ player straight on the back of a Super Rugby sesaon.

It surely means Glasgow have someone lined up too - Reid's family has remained behind in Glasgow so I wouldn't be surprised if he came back.

by Eejit Mon 18 Mar 2019, 12:54 pm

It leaves us awful short at loosehead. I take it we’re getting some big handy Pacific Islander next season or are Edinburgh the only team that are allowed to sign players now after years of failing to produce their own players.

by tigertattie Mon 18 Mar 2019, 4:27 pm

Eejit wrote:It leaves us awful short at loosehead. I take it we’re getting some big handy Pacific Islander next season or are Edinburgh the only team that are allowed to sign players now after years of failing to produce their own players.

It's jsut payback for us giving you Ryan Grant. Exact same position where the club coach finds the prop surplus to requirements/wants someone else, but the SRU need to keep the prop employed, so he's shifted along the M8 to see what the other club can do.

Also, clearly Bhatti is fed up playing for a micky mouse oufit that lives off past glory and can't win the 1872 cup for love nor money (despite the SRU ploughin millions into the club over the years while Edinburgh made do with what they have)

by Eejit Mon 18 Mar 2019, 4:33 pm

tigertattie wrote:
Eejit wrote:It leaves us awful short at loosehead. I take it we’re getting some big handy Pacific Islander next season or are Edinburgh the only team that are allowed to sign players now after years of failing to produce their own players.

It's jsut payback for us giving you Ryan Grant. Exact same position where the club coach finds the prop surplus to requirements/wants someone else, but the SRU need to keep the prop employed, so he's shifted along the M8 to see what the other club can do.

Also, clearly Bhatti is fed up playing for a micky mouse oufit that lives off past glory and can't win the 1872 cup for love nor money (despite the SRU ploughin millions into the club over the years while Edinburgh made do with what they have)

I missed this, let's never agree on anything again. boxing

by tigertattie Tue 19 Mar 2019, 9:52 am

Eejit wrote:
tigertattie wrote:
Eejit wrote:It leaves us awful short at loosehead. I take it we’re getting some big handy Pacific Islander next season or are Edinburgh the only team that are allowed to sign players now after years of failing to produce their own players.

It's jsut payback for us giving you Ryan Grant. Exact same position where the club coach finds the prop surplus to requirements/wants someone else, but the SRU need to keep the prop employed, so he's shifted along the M8 to see what the other club can do.

Also, clearly Bhatti is fed up playing for a micky mouse oufit that lives off past glory and can't win the 1872 cup for love nor money (despite the SRU ploughin millions into the club over the years while Edinburgh made do with what they have)

I missed this, let's never agree on anything again.

What if I said things like

"There should be no sugar tax on Irn Bru as a national drink"
"Buckfast is one of your five a day"
"Stafford McDowell is better than sliced bread"
"Chips should have vinegar on them"
"Al Kellock is a Deity"

by **BigGee** Tue 19 Mar 2019, 4:59 pm

Glasgow props Rae and Allen put pen to paper on new two year deals.

Both have done well this year and will get plenty of game time in a WC season. Decent bit of business again. Rae in particular seems to be maturing into a half decent TH.

by Eejit Tue 19 Mar 2019, 5:10 pm

Stuart Hogg appears to have dyed his hair beach blonde. All he needs now is a pair of orange gloves.

by **BigGee** Tue 19 Mar 2019, 5:57 pm

Eejit wrote:Stuart Hogg appears to have dyed his hair beach blonde. All he needs now is a pair of orange gloves.

Yes I saw that picture from the Warriors.

Not so keen on the hair, but very pleased to see it looks like he is back in training. I wonder if he will play this weekend?

In other news, it looks like Edinburgh have passed the 30,000 ticket mark for their match v Munster next weekend. They are heading for a record attendance by the look of things, hopefully the feel good factor from this weekend will continue to bump it up even more.

Me, I am off to Sarries though!

by jimbopip Tue 19 Mar 2019, 6:25 pm

yet again I am left cursing the gods for allowing MrsPip to be born on the Quarter Final weekend furious

I shall be marvelling at Bath's Georgian terraces on Saturday.

But here's a thought; you know the silly game where you make up your own porn-star name? It's now redundant: who will ever better King Barehorn?

by **BigGee** Tue 19 Mar 2019, 6:48 pm

jimbopip wrote:yet again I am left cursing the gods for allowing MrsPip to be born on the Quarter Final weekend I shall be marvelling at Bath's Georgian terraces on Saturday.

But here's a thought; you know the silly game where you make up your own porn-star name? It's now redundant: who will ever better King Barehorn?

Sorry to hear that Jim, I hope the pleasures of the Pump Room will be an adequate compensation for missing the joys of Allianz Park. Third time lucky we hope!

by jimbopip Tue 19 Mar 2019, 7:55 pm

This "Pump Room"....it isn't the sort of pump room TigerTattie frequents is it?

So, Luvvies…..the Ladyboys this weekend and then Munster. Sad

End of season dinner dance brought forward? Again.

by Eejit Tue 19 Mar 2019, 8:41 pm

They probably didn't have to Jimbo. They're in a conference with some heavy hitters like Treviso and Ulster so there's no way they could think of finishing above such titans of the world rugby in recent years.

by **RDW** Tue 19 Mar 2019, 8:44 pm

Eejit wrote:They probably didn't have to Jimbo. They're in a conference with some heavy hitters like Treviso and Ulster so there's no way they could think of finishing above such titans of the world rugby in recent years.

It has been a remarkable achievement for Glasgow to stay ahead of Cardiff and Connacht - real heavyweights of world rugby!

by Eejit Tue 19 Mar 2019, 8:47 pm

RDW wrote:
Eejit wrote:They probably didn't have to Jimbo. They're in a conference with some heavy hitters like Treviso and Ulster so there's no way they could think of finishing above such titans of the world rugby in recent years.

It has been a remarkable achievement for Glasgow to stay ahead of Cardiff and Connacht - real heavyweights of world rugby!

You mean the reigning Challenge Cup Holders and 2015/16 league winners, yeah?

by **BigGee** Tue 19 Mar 2019, 8:49 pm

RDW wrote:
Eejit wrote:They probably didn't have to Jimbo. They're in a conference with some heavy hitters like Treviso and Ulster so there's no way they could think of finishing above such titans of the world rugby in recent years.

It has been a remarkable achievement for Glasgow to stay ahead of Cardiff and Connacht - real heavyweights of world rugby!

You can only beat what is in front of you, a lesson sadly Edinburgh still are struggling with!

Just remind me again, how did it go against Zebre? Smile

by **RDW** Tue 19 Mar 2019, 8:53 pm

Eejit wrote:
RDW wrote:
Eejit wrote:They probably didn't have to Jimbo. They're in a conference with some heavy hitters like Treviso and Ulster so there's no way they could think of finishing above such titans of the world rugby in recent years.

It has been a remarkable achievement for Glasgow to stay ahead of Cardiff and Connacht - real heavyweights of world rugby!

You mean the reigning Challenge Cup Holders and 2015/16 league winners, yeah?

2015/16?? That changes everything!

I raise you greatest club team in modern times including league and cup double last season Leinster, 2017 champions Scarlets plus the significantly better Italian team who have taken a lot of big scalps this season

You've really been on the buckfast if you're claiming Glasgow have a tougher conference!

Saying all that, we have been totally Baws against the weaker teams.

by Eejit Tue 19 Mar 2019, 9:01 pm

Och everyone knows that Leinster are a poor man's Currie CHIEFTAINS and Scarlets have all but given up this season. I'll have you know we have the utmost respect for our fellow rainy celts in Galway and Cardiff - clubs that have proven they can win actual trophies and not wee made up rivalries no-one but the Cucumber Sandwich brigade cares about.

Maybe you can sell the 1872 Cup for scrap to help pay part of the wages of all those players the SRU are having to give you to keep pace while Glasgow continue to develop future British Lions in the academy.

by **RDW** Tue 19 Mar 2019, 9:12 pm

Tell me how many Edinburgh players - all of whom were capped as Edinburgh players - started in the pack on Saturday? Whistle

Let's see how things pan out come the end of the season - there's more chance of Theressa May's Brexit deal going through than Glasgow beating Sarries! Conversely Edinburgh stand a good chance. With the cavalry back at Edinburgh there's also a chance Edinburgh will still make it to the playoffs, and we've got a guaranteed 5 points in the last regular season game.

P.s. I've missed the club banter this 6N!

by Eejit Tue 19 Mar 2019, 9:23 pm

As an aside the man behind the Eejit mask couldn't get tickets to watch the A team down in London so I'll be going to watch the B team through in our nation's capital a week on Saturday. 12:45 kick off, its going to be a bloody long day on the beers by the time 3:15 kick off rolls round. guinness

Gosh, an all Scottish European semi would be good craic wouldn't it.

by tigertattie Tue 19 Mar 2019, 10:50 pm

Well it would be for Edinburgh. Another win over the unwashed would be the equivalent of a bye into the final.

#GlasgowCantWinAgainstTeamsWithADecentPack

by TJ Wed 20 Mar 2019, 1:24 am

Just to say guys - thanks for all the info and laughs over the years. I am tired of all the nasty pettiness and the unwillingness to deal with trolls that inhabits other parts of this forum so I am off. I'll pop back in now and then to keep in touch but I will no longer be contributing.

by **RDW** Wed 20 Mar 2019, 8:42 am

TJ - I'll drop you a PM.

In other news - how do we think the club teams are looking going into the final season run-in?

The tables have certainly turned when it comes to players involved in the 6N - against England there were 8 Edinburgh starters and only 3 from Glasgow, with Edinburgh forwards having a heavy workload over the entire 6N.

Potential fatigue aside, Edinburgh are in pretty good shape with almost the entire squad fit for the end of season run in. Barclay and Scott returning will feel like new signings, with Barclay set to make his debut and Scott having not played since October. We're going to have genuine competition across the team.

Fatigue is a real concern as not only have those Edinburgh forwards played a lot for Scotland but they have played a lot all season too - hopefully they can hang on for what is basically 5 cup finals (more if we beat Munster). Cockers has said all but McInally and Gilchrist will play against Leinster this weekend so he's certainly not giving players a rest before the Quarter Final.

What are Glasgow fans' thoughts?

by **George Carlin** Wed 20 Mar 2019, 8:48 am

TJ wrote:Just to say guys - thanks for all the info and laughs over the years. I am tired of all the nasty pettiness and the unwillingness to deal with trolls that inhabits other parts of this forum so I am off. I'll pop back in now and then to keep in touch but I will no longer be contributing.

TJ - that would be a huge loss. Please PM me and RDW about what it is specifically and we'll come back to you.

by **RDW** Wed 20 Mar 2019, 8:52 am

I see that Biggee has put a Glasgow thread together - if someone could knock up an Edinburgh v Leinster one

by Eejit Wed 20 Mar 2019, 9:13 am

RDW wrote:I see that Biggee has put a Glasgow thread together - if someone could knock up an Edinburgh v Leinster one

Leinster win.

Next.

by EWT Spoons Wed 20 Mar 2019, 9:21 am

Some good news for Edinburgh

Offside line wrote:JOHN Barclay will be in the Edinburgh squad to face Leinster on Friday – the first time he will have played for the team he joined last summer, and his first game since being injured while playing for Scarlets against Glasgow in last season’s PRO14 play-offs.

Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill declined to say yesterday whether the former Scotland captain would be in the starting line-up or begin on the bench for the crucial Conference B match at Murrayfield, but he is in no doubt that the 32-year-old’s experience will be vital as the team try to fight their way back into the top three. Cockerill also revealed that Grant Gilchrist and Stuart McInally would be rested after their Scotland duties, but that everyone else who is fully fit would be available.

“He’ll be in the 23 this week,” the coach said of Barclay, who needed an operation on a ruptured Achilles tendon last May. “John’s been training for the last two or three weeks. You can see the quality that he has as a player in everything that he does, cos he knows the game very well – he just hasn’t played for nine months.

“So his injury is good and he’s fit and ready to go. It’ll be good to have him on the field at whatever stage in the game, and he can share his experience with the rest of the team, but also he’s a fantastic player. It’ll be good – I’ve had no back-rowers for months, now I’m having to have awkward conversations cos we’ve got too many good ones. It’s quite a nice spot to be in.

“The thing is that he has to be good enough to get into the team because in his absence the guys have stepped up. [Magnus] Bradbury has done exceptionally well, we have [Hamish] Watson, [Viliame] Mata, Jamie Ritchie, [Luke] Crosbie, so there is some stiff competition in that back-row. He has got to catch up very quickly.

“Let’s just see where he gets to at the weekend, but his leadership around the group and his knowledge of the game is very, very good, and that could well be important for us in the run-in. But Jamie Ritchie has been growing into that No 6 or No 7 shirt for Scotland very, very well. Magnus Bradbury has been very, very good and Billy does what he does. There’s some stiff competition for those back row spots.

“Push comes to shove his experience could be key. It will be good to have him on the field and see how he gets on. He has to be good enough to get in the team – though I would like to have him in the team, because he has a lot of experience and is a quality player when he’s fit.”

Spoiled for choice
The competition for back-row places will heighten shortly when Luke Hamilton also becomes available. The Scotland international took a full part in training on Monday, but is still a couple of weeks away from playing, according to his coach, having been out of action since taking a head knock against Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Blair Kinghorn, who revealed last week that his season was over because of an ankle injury sustained playing for Scotland against Wales, should be able to resume full training towards the end of May. “He has a thing called syndesmosis, which to the rest of us is a twisted ankle,” Cockerill added. “But they have to do a small operation where they knit the bones together with wire, and he’s out for eight to 10 weeks.”

While Kinghorn will be a significant loss, the overall picture for Edinburgh has become far brighter as they prepare for a run-in to the season which features the Champions Cup quarter-final against Munster as well as some potentially vital PRO14 matches. Not only are they able to welcome back from injury big-name players such as Barclay and Matt Scott, they have also had a massive boost to their morale this week as a result of that extraordinary second-half performance against England.

“If that had turned into a very one-sided result it would have been difficult for guys to come back and be optimistic and be happy with the finish to the Six Nations,” Cockerill said of Saturday’s 38-38 draw at Twickenham. “It’s been a tough tournament for Scotland in lots of ways.

“For that performance, and to come out of that with what they’ve done, gives players a bit of spring in their step. So those that are available this week and come back into the 23 will be a little bit happier and energised than probably if they’d been on the back end of a 40- or 50-point loss. So hopefully, certainly this week it’s going to be important on Friday, then quarter-final week there will be no lack of motivation for obvious reasons.”

“I was really, really proud of the Edinburgh players. Especially [Darcy Graham’s] first try was an outstanding finish. Even the second try, [England winger Elliot] Daly clearly didn’t know how quick he was, cos he got in that corner pretty sharp. With Stu McInally and Magnus’s tries, as a club we had a huge impact on the game.”

by tigertattie Wed 20 Mar 2019, 11:54 am

It's the hope that kills you!!!

Edinburgh should be fine for players returning from International duties

Dell will likely be on the bench as Shoeman will be starting
Nel hasnt been flogged in the 6Ns, Bergahn neither
Toolis, massive shift against England last week but didnt play much for scotland - oddly
Bradbury is only returning from injury
Mata hasnt been playing in the 6Ns
Watson is returning from injury
Barclay HE'S BACK!!!
Ritchie oddly may not be picked despite his great form.

6,7, and 8 - Ritchie, Bradbury, Mata, Barclay, Watson. Now those are backrow options!

by Hazel Sapling Wed 20 Mar 2019, 1:02 pm

Coman forced to retire at 31 due to hamstring injury.

Not the best player, but gave what he could

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/last-tackle-for-kiwi-mike-coman-as-unusual-severe-injury-forces-him-to-call-it-quits-at-irish

by Hazel Sapling Wed 20 Mar 2019, 1:07 pm

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/six-nations-at-loggerheads-as-england-and-france-want-unequal-share-of-cash-reports

Did anyone see this? By all accounts the French and English want a larger share of any revenue to feed their clubs from the Six Nations. The other four are considering moving to World Rugby proposals if the power grab comes to fruition is what I read into it.

The RFU really have no excuse as a wealthy union. It threw money at women's rugby and offered per cap bonuses it couldn't afford. It is not good for Six Nations (or rugby generally) to have England and France hoover up all the money and reduce the competitiveness of the Celts and Italians.

Also Sunwolves are looking at getting axed because the South Africans are annoyed they backed France's 2023 bid over theirs....Pro16 with Japan?

by Eejit Wed 20 Mar 2019, 1:15 pm

Something from that article stood out.

Apparently, the RFU has been considering contingency plans should it fail to reach agreement with its clubs over the international calendar. One alternative would even see newly formed English regional teams entering the PRO14 with players centrally contracted.

Surely this is baws. At this rate I'm pretty soon the ProNN will have more cross-border cooperation than NATO.

by tigertattie Wed 20 Mar 2019, 4:06 pm

Its just Billy big baws and his pal Claude big baws wanting to have thier cake and eat it.

The same patter happend with the Heini Cup and the other unions said they'd jsut walk if they were getting shafted and the same will happen here. We'll see a new 2 nations "championship" and then the 4 nations will just turn round and bring Georgia and Spain into things.

by Eejit Wed 20 Mar 2019, 7:46 pm

Aye Georgia and Spain. Great. Other countries are just more teams for Scotland to manage to lose to.

by Eejit Wed 20 Mar 2019, 7:48 pm

tigertattie wrote:Its just Billy big baws and his pal Claude big baws wanting to have thier cake and eat it.

The same patter happend with the Heini Cup and the other unions said they'd jsut walk if they were getting shafted and the same will happen here. We'll see a new 2 nations "championship" and then the 4 nations will just turn round and bring Georgia and Spain into things.

Also if I didn’t already have a username I’d be Big Baws Claude. That’s a cracker.

by **RDW** Wed 20 Mar 2019, 9:18 pm

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/i-stood-up-and-was-struggling-to-breathe-it-was-very-scary-cornell-du-preez-on-the-moment-joe-launchbury-crushed-his-throat

This sounds truly horrendous. Also reinforcers how big an injury the ankle injury was and how long it affected him.

What's most surprising is he's only 28 - in his prime!

by TJ Wed 20 Mar 2019, 10:39 pm

rdw sent you a pm.

by **BigGee** Wed 20 Mar 2019, 11:02 pm

RDW wrote:https://www.rugbypass.com/news/i-stood-up-and-was-struggling-to-breathe-it-was-very-scary-cornell-du-preez-on-the-moment-joe-launchbury-crushed-his-throat

This sounds truly horrendous. Also reinforcers how big an injury the ankle injury was and how long it affected him.

What's most surprising is he's only 28 - in his prime!

I was about to post that, but RDW beat me to it. What a horrendous injury that was and what a tough SOB he is to get back from it.

He would have been a nailed on Scotland starter as he was in his prime at Edinburgh before the ankle injury and if he can get back into that sort of form, he will be back in the mix.

Good luck to him.

by tigertattie Thu 21 Mar 2019, 10:10 am

CDP, great player and hopefully he can get back to his old form and get some much deserved scotland caps.

His ankle injury was bad enough but getting your windipe crushed is jsut plain frightening. Hopefully he gets back to things and bad luck doesnt happen in threes and he finally gets a chance to get himself back to his best.

Also, just a note on the headline, you'd think Launchbury intentionally tried to murder CDP that way it's written. Rather sensationalist. Spare a thoguht for poor Joe who must also have some kind of feelings of guilt over a complete accident.

by **RDW** Thu 21 Mar 2019, 10:15 am

Interesting that he freely admits he wasn't in good physical shape during his Scotland caps. Hopefully he can get back to his best and be an option for Scotland in the future - he's only 28 so plenty time.

The 23 year old CDP would have walked into the Scotland team at the time if he was qualified - he was every bit as good for Edinburgh as Mata is now.

by tigertattie Thu 21 Mar 2019, 10:59 am

Absolutely. Great ball carrier, ferocious tackler but he has great hands. He's like David Denton, Bob Harley and Finn Russell all rolled into one.

I still maintain that if he can return to fitness, he could actually be an option for the world cup as its not as if hes compeltely new to the set up. Bradbury is in the driving seat at 8 in my opinion but he's still developing and CDP could be a genuine alternative option at 8. Barclay could still be seen as the 8 option at the WC though with Ritchie and Watson on the flanks.

Oh to have such great options at international and club level. Such a shame the weegies still need to put up with mediocre players like fusaro and Wilson

by **RDW** Thu 21 Mar 2019, 11:01 am

Bit of a big ask to get him fit and firing in time for the World Cup - the fact that he's playing rugby at all this season is a miracle. I can't see him being involved - maybe in the wider training squad but only if he gets games this season.

by EST Thu 21 Mar 2019, 11:04 am

The severity of the ankle injury was a really cruel blow, as others have said he was an absolute colossus when he first came to Edinburgh. Here's hoping he can come back for the later part of his career.

by tigertattie Thu 21 Mar 2019, 11:52 am

RDW wrote:Bit of a big ask to get him fit and firing in time for the World Cup - the fact that he's playing rugby at all this season is a miracle. I can't see him being involved - maybe in the wider training squad but only if he gets games this season.

He's targeting a return to help Worcester stay in the Prem so should be back playing before the end of season run in.

Tell you what though, if Wuss do go down, the SRU may decide to bring CDP back into the fold. He'd be a great addition to Glasgow and could be the answer to beginning to reassemble a decent pack out there.

Next years 6Ns, we start with a backrow of

Barclay
Bradbury
Watson

We then have an option of deploying CDP or Ritchie on the bench. Thats just handy! If we're looking to play a distruptive game then Ritchie is your man. If you are looking for go forward and someone to soak up the firepower of Wales or England, CDP is yer man!

by Eejit Thu 21 Mar 2019, 12:00 pm

Not a bad idea Tattie. Would also add a bit of ballast to that Glasgow back row. Wilson-CDP-Cully would be plenty abrasive.

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