Glasgow and Edinburgh 28 and Counting - The banter goes on!

First topic message reminder :

28 and counting, where do we get the energy!

Another Glasgow re-signing coming up this afternoon, following on from the White Rhino, the animal theme is hinted at again. Who could that be?

Ancient history:

https://www.606v2.com/t70348p1000-glasgow-and-edinburgh-unceasing-banter-thread-27#4033843

Feel a bit sorry for Ratu Tagive, who has flown all the way down to SA in a rush just to hold some tackle bags!

Not a bad side, though we said that last week. Matthews and Miller dropped entirely with McDonald, Thompson and Johnson to the bench.

Bulls have a less dominant set of starting props so maybe the reason that we can get away with Harley starting. Wilson should give us a bit more fire and keep standards up. At this stage of his career, he is an animated and more eloquent (is that the right word? Jimbo probably has something better) version of Al Kellock.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch this. A win here secures Glasgow's playoff and Champions Cup space. Two weeks out in SA now, they should be used to conditions and there is no excuse for a performance similar to the Stormers last week.

Bryan Redpath has been appointed DOR at London Scottish, who have also announced a partnership deal with Harlequins in the past few days, presumably they will be sending a few more of their academy players over there to get some game time.

Good to see Redpath, who was a decent coach, back in the game and hopefully this means a better future for LS as well. There was some talk of them joining the Super 6 at some point in the future, but does not look like that is happening at present.

The future of the English Championship is way up in the air atm though, so anything could still happen.

Lots of changes for Edinburgh. Big call bringing Crosbie straight back over red hot form Muncaster. Form players like Pyrgos and Boyle also get punted.

VDW at 15 is not ideal but a much better goal kicker. Jack Blain has disappeared from the face of the earth this season!

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INTERNATIONALISTS RETURN FOR CRUCIAL ULSTER CLASH
29 APRIL 2022
NEWS
The Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ulster in tomorrow night’s United Rugby Championship clash at DAM Health Stadium has today been named by Head Coach Mike Blair (Saturday 30 April, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports.

Scotland internationalists Luke Crosbie (back-row) and Damien Hoyland (wing) are once again fit and start, while tighthead prop WP Nel returns up front after serving a two-game suspension.

Internationalists Stuart McInally (hooker), Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Hodgson (both locks), Magnus Bradbury (number 8), Ben Vellacott (scrum-half), James Lang (centre) and Emiliano Boffelli (wing) all return to the starting XV as Edinburgh aim to maintain their unbeaten home record at DAM Health Stadium.

With a record number of tickets already sold for the penultimate league fixture of the season, the match is set to be the club’s first sell out at DAM Health Stadium with only a handful of places now available in the 7,774 capacity ground.

Ahead of the fixture, Head Coach Mike Blair, said: “We’ve talked a lot this season about constantly being in the moment and that mind set is something we need to continue this weekend as we face perhaps the biggest test so far at DAM Health Stadium.


“Ulster are an excellent side with a number of dangerous players so we know that we have to be switched on from the very first whistle.

“The home crowd are going to have a huge part to play on Saturday night and it’s been absolutely brilliant to see the number of tickets sold throughout the week as we approach the club’s very first sell out at the DAM Health.

“Running out in front of a full house will be a special moment for the players and hopefully it will act as a catalyst for a special performance.”

Last week’s match-winner Jaco van der Walt continues at full-back as wingers Boffelli and Hoyland complete the back-three.

Centre Mark Bennett – twice a try-scorer against Zebre – links up with Lang in midfield, while scrum-half Vellacott and stand-off Blair Kinghorn form an exciting half-back pairing.

Club centurion McInally packs down alongside props Pierre Schoeman – named Player of the Match in back-to-back fixtures – and Nel up front, as locks Gilchrist and Hodgson complete the tight-five.

Number 8 Bradbury anchors an all-Scotland back-row which sees Crosbie and Hamish Watson selected on opposite flanks.



Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ulster at DAM Health Stadium in the United Rugby Championship
Saturday 30 April (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Jaco van der Walt (85)

14. Damien Hoyland (90)
13. Mark Bennett (67)
12. James Lang (16)
11. Emiliano Boffelli (14)

10. Blair Kinghorn (115) VICE-CAPTAIN
9. Ben Vellacott (18)

1. Pierre Schoeman (79)
2. Stuart McInally (164) VICE-CAPTAIN
3. WP Nel (167)
4. Jamie Hodgson (37)
5. Grant Gilchrist (171) CAPTAIN
6. Luke Crosbie (65)
7. Hamish Watson (128)
8. Magnus Bradbury (109)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry (54)
17. Harrison Courtney (7)
18. Lee-Roy Atalifo (23)
19. Pierce Phillips (10)
20. Ben Muncaster (13)
21. Henry Pyrgos (66)
22. Chris Dean (117)
23. Matt Currie (13)

Unavailable: Luan de Bruin, Darcy Graham, Nick Haining, Henry Immelman, Viliame Mata, Ramiro Moyano, Jamie Ritchie, Ben Toolis, Boan Venter, Angus Williams, Glen Young

I guess the changes are a reaction to the poor game against Zebre.

On paper, a very good starting line-up and great to see Hoyland back. All international caps if I am not mistaken.

The bench is a bit meh. Muncaster is maybe the only impact player there though Cherry, Pyrgos and Dean are steady players. Two centres on the bench and nominal back-three cover. What happened to Blain? Seriously odd unless there are some personal issues.

That was a howler of a kick from Duncy, just terrible!

Not a bad first half from Glasgow until the last two mins, when we got a YC and a try against.

Now 17-10 Bulls and it could be a long second half!

The Bulls centres are making ground whenever they get the ball: which cannot be said for Glasgow.
The pack are really fronting up but there's no real threat in the backs.
Ragnar is a very silly boy.

Get Duncy off!

Well unsurprisingly, we seem to have run out of steam in the last 20 mins and the game has run away from us.

Ollie Kebble last two carries concedes two penalties for not releasing.

ollie Smith has been one of our few performers in both games, good try

Well. we decided to wait until the game was lost until we started playing.

Where was that attacking shape when we were in the game?

I don't know whether to be encouraged by that or not, but we still lost pretty poorly. Zero points from our trip down south.

We seemed to want to play 10 man rugby which was working till we ran out of steam.
These two matches watching some very talented back three players doing nothing has been dismal.
So now we play the Luvvies for 8th place. Unless they thump Ulster.

So, at the start of the season we looked at the 10 spot and had;
The Wonder Kid...lots of exciting potential
Wee Dunky...the returning hero and his time daahn saarf would have given him a more rounded game ( a more rounded Meatball? What's not to like?)
Domingo Miotti... a Puma international with lots of Super Rugby experience most likely our starting 10.

What did we get?
Second season syndrome, and then some.
A player who never really looked like he should be our first choice 10.
Someone who will surely go to the end of season fancy dress party as The Invisible Man and his teammates will tell him he should have made the effort to be dress differently.

What's next for the club who have won two way matches in the league all season?
Lose away to Lyon, most likely.
Lose at the Bookcase, probably.
Away to Leinster in the playoffs

There is something very wrong in the way we are losing every fourth quarter. I can't believe that this side is playing to it's full potential...but I can't quite identify exactly where it is all falling down. Maybe Danny Wilson knows.

The thing is, when the game was gone, we suddenly started to play snd looked a much better team.

I get that the Bulls probably eased off but we did eventually look like we had an attacking shape then. Up to that point we really did not remotely look like scoring a try. It is hard to remember that we were once considered an attacking side!

Something is definitely wrong and we are not playing to our potential, not even remotely atm.

I have been trying to be positive about DW as i do beleive he was handed a poisoned chalice by Rennie, who did not develop the team in his last season and then covid did the rest. The rally in form at the end of last season made me beleive that he was getting on top of things, but despite a decent start this year, we have barely been at the races since xmas.

If he was a football manager  he would have been gone by now but fortunately rugby is not football. Still, he has certainly not got much credit left in the bank. I need to see something in the next couple of games to convince me about him.

Jez, Edinburgh have spooned two absolute sitters so far. Hope that does not come back to haunt them!

And a third one!

A little bit more composure and they would be winning this game

Dear Edinburgh, thanks for that first half, can't believe Ulster are ahead you had so many chances. It was very entertaining before the rain started and you may have missed you chance now.

We're really making a mess of this. Ulster just smarter. Our execution in attack has been awful.

Cherry about to go off as well. We're struggling here.

Arghhh!! So frustrating!

Cherry looks in trouble out there.

If Cherry can just stay on to throw into the lineouts it will help

Arghhh!! Even with Pyrgos slowing things down to his usual glacial pace we still can't keep our composure.

It's headless chicken time....

Lovely from Mark Bennett.

It'll be remarkable if we win this!!

That was a tense ending! The Ulster defence was great, Edinburgh seemed to lack some invention apart from the Bennett try. Ulster definitely rode their luck, but a win is a win!

Great effort from both sides there. Better side won. Edinburgh's profligacy in attack in the first half cost them that.

Muncaster really should be first choice now at 6 or 8. His energy and intensity are top class. Shoe was massive tonight as well.

So, both Scottish sides in the play-offs; and the shoot-out between the two for the last Champions Cup place?

How did Edinburgh not win that, they surely wasted their chances!

Great defence from Ulster though

Ach that's an annoying one. Sounds like we had enough chances there but didn't take them. Similar to the Cockers reign it's all fair and well getting to this stage of the season in contention for something but we need to learn how to execute and win when it really matters. Hope those lessons are learned for the European game next week!

Looking at the table, am I right in thinking the Edinburgh Glasgow game will decide who plays Leinster (the loser) and who most likely has to go to South Africa again (the winner)? Unless Munster beats Leinster, in which case the winner will have to go to Thomond.

https://twitter.com/simonrug/status/1520512536478720001?t=ro6xZvGdmuttAgimzT1W3g&s=19

Turns out there's a lot more to play for in the 1872 than who we play in the playoffs!

The winner takes it all, so it would seem!

Well, that puts a different complexion on The Annual you know.

Glasgow really need to win at the Bookcase otherwise it'll be a loooong string of defeats into the close season. Obviously, given our away form, I am writing off the Lyon match and whoever we are away to in the play offs. If we has picked up four points in Biltongland then we could have been looking at a home QF and possibly a home semi. Even making the semi could be seen as a decent season but losing to the Luvvies and then going to Dublin for a spanking

I'll be in full Gerrintaethum mood when myself and Psycho Bru,the affluent gentleman's Begbie, descend upon Luvvietoun.

Well, it has been a disappointing few league results for Edinburgh and Glasgow. We have gone from having both likely make the Champions Cup to one dropping into the Challenge Cup. Both will make the playoffs in the worst spots. Hopefully the Challenge Cup provides some relief...

Five more players from Glasgow confirmed leaving not including McDonald and Harley who we already knew:

- Lambert is a big loss as a young LH who should have been fighting for the fourth/fifth spot for Scotland. Injured all year and now off for overseas playing opportunity. Assume he is heading back to Australia. Disappointed by this one

- Stewart, the writing was on the wall when Matthews passed him. Can't quite get past an ageing Fraser Brown which was not a good sign. As long as we don't sign an NSQ for the 4th hooker spot, it is probably fair to see him move on

- Fergusson has been solid and I would have wanted to keep for depth. McCallum is a young centre in the Super Six who deserves an opportunity and may be taking this spot.

- McQuillan was injured much of this season when he may have got a look in. Behind Zander, Berghan, Pieretto and Walker, and I imagine without games over international weekends anymore, he is considered surplus. If he hangs around, he may get another shot as a deep bench option in an injury crisis though I am guessing Walker will get promoted and a new academy TH will come in

- Bain, injury hit and did not make the most of limited opportunities

A bit of an injury crisis for Glasgow as well, especially in the back row, which may also effect the Scotland team for the summer tour as well.

Darge is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Gordon is concussed and Wilson has a dead leg. Gregor Brown, who made a very promising debut last season before getting injured, as been called back from Super 6 to provide cover.

Cummings, Steyn and Cancilierre and McLean all out for the rest of the season.

Fraser Brown also out with a shoulder injury and is awaiting assessment.


Darge, Brown, Cummings and Steyn would also likely be touring with Scotland this summer and must now be considered dobutful.


It's going to be a tough old gig against Lyon this saturday for us.

Oof that's not good news. Shame for Darge after such a good season, but he's had a high workload. Unfortuantely that may mean Watson needs to tour this summer instead of having a break.

Brown must be edging close to retirement.

RDW wrote:Oof that's not good news. Shame for Darge after such a good season, but he's had a high workload. Unfortuantely that may mean Watson needs to tour this summer instead of having a break.

Brown must be edging close to retirement.

Probably makes a space for Boyle to come into the reckoning I guess. There is also that Dylan Richardson who played in the autumn. I think he got injured as well following that, he has not been playing for the sharks since then I don't think.

Watson definitely needs the summer off, he has been flogged this year a bit as well and it has shown at times.

I agree that Brown is beginning to show the miles on the clock, I am not sure he would have toured in any case.

Watson can still be rested. As well as the aforementioned Boyle and Richardson, Gordon should be fit and Crosbie can make a case should he stay fit to the end of the season.

Skinner, Christie and Bayliss have played a bit at OS as well though not in a similar vein to how we usually use our opensides.

BigGee wrote:A bit of an injury crisis for Glasgow as well, especially in the back row, which may also effect the Scotland team for the summer tour as well.

Darge is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Gordon is concussed and Wilson has a dead leg. Gregor Brown, who made a very promising debut last season before getting injured, as been called back from Super 6 to provide cover.

Cummings, Steyn and Cancilierre and McLean all out for the rest of the season.

Fraser Brown also out with a shoulder injury and is awaiting assessment.


Darge, Brown, Cummings and Steyn would also likely be touring with Scotland this summer and must now be considered dobutful.


It's going to be a tough old gig against Lyon this saturday for us.

Lyon will rest a number of their first team as they have an important league match coming up....but will still thump us royally.

I am somewhat nonplussed by the decision to release both Tom Lambert and Grant Stewart.
Either Lambert's injury was much worse than reported OR he didn't settle in the most beautiful city in the northern hemisphere OR DW doesn't rate him as a player.
As for grant Stewart; either DW doesn't rate him as a player OR...that's it...I've got nothing.
Given how much potential they seemed to have it is perplexing. Especially Stewart since Chuckles seems to be struggling to put together a run of games. He seems to be in the Alex Dunbar Circle Of Hell: injured, lacking match fitness, not quite up to speed, injured again and repeat.
Tom Lambert really looked a prospect. He's a big loss.

Just a rant here: Kebble played about 35 minutes against the Bulls and gave away three non-scrum penalties. WTAF???

Team for Lyon
Bhatti-Matthews-Ragnar
Gray-McDonald
BBB-Dempsey-Millar A biggish pack but lacking pace and balance in the back row.
Price-Whoever's turn it is at 10
Johnson-Shona
McKay-Smith-Forbes Should be a scintillating back three but is consistently meh.

I think my trip to the Library may be less than wonderful.

Four young Glasgow academy forwards get their first full pro contracts.

The much touted Williamson and Samuel, both big lads who have looked like the future second row pairing for the club for some time now.

Gregor Brown a big raw boned BS who made an impressive debut last season before picking up a bad injury.

Angus Fraser, a hooker who will take the spot vacated by Grant Stewart.

All bodes well for the future of the pack, but we need a few backs coming through as well!

Happy with the academy signings. McCallum (IC) keeps getting good reviews in the Super Six and you got to think he deserves a shot a la Hutchison.

With the Welsh potentially dropping to 3 regions in 2024 (I can't see it personally but that is the current press), could we see a third team in Scotland or Italy? I am guessing the SRU would have to fund about £3m a year after additional TV money/sponsorship/tickets to make it work for a development side for the likes of the top Super Six players/borderline players in England.

I am not sure there is much room for a development side in the URC nowadays. With the SA sides coming in, the standsrd has increased accross the board and a weaker side is just going to get plastered esch week. Which is not going to be good for them or the league.

If Scotland is going to have a third team, it will need to be fully funded and functioning. Unfortunately i don't see that as a possibility atm.

I’m not asking for a dodgy link for the Edinburgh game on Saturday but I won’t be in attendance so ………

tigertattie wrote:I’m not asking for a dodgy link for the Edinburgh game on Saturday but I won’t be in attendance so ………

ditto the Lyon-Glasgow bunfight. Obviously no links to tractors.

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:I’m not asking for a dodgy link for the Edinburgh game on Saturday but I won’t be in attendance so ………

ditto the Lyon-Glasgow bunfight. Obviously no links to tractors.

Would not want you ploughing the wrong furrow now Jim!

BigGee wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:I’m not asking for a dodgy link for the Edinburgh game on Saturday but I won’t be in attendance so ………

ditto the Lyon-Glasgow bunfight. Obviously no links to tractors.

Would not want you ploughing the wrong furrow now Jim!

There's nothing like a well handled innuendo.

When i worked in the Arlinton bar in Glasgow a young woman once asked me for a Doble Entendre...so I gave her one.

jimbopip wrote:

BigGee wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:I’m not asking for a dodgy link for the Edinburgh game on Saturday but I won’t be in attendance so ………

ditto the Lyon-Glasgow bunfight. Obviously no links to tractors.

Would not want you ploughing the wrong furrow now Jim!

There's nothing like a well handled innuendo.

When i worked in the Arlinton bar in Glasgow a young woman once asked me for a Doble Entendre...so I gave her one.

Good lord jimbo that joke is almost as old as you are!

And almost as lumbering and predictable as a Blarehorn miss pass.

jimbopip wrote:

BigGee wrote:A bit of an injury crisis for Glasgow as well, especially in the back row, which may also effect the Scotland team for the summer tour as well.

Darge is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Gordon is concussed  and Wilson has a dead leg.  Gregor Brown, who made a very promising debut last season before getting injured, as been called back from Super 6 to provide cover.

Cummings, Steyn and Cancilierre and McLean all out for the rest of the season.    

Fraser Brown also out with a shoulder injury and is awaiting assessment.


Darge, Brown, Cummings and Steyn would also likely be touring with Scotland this summer and must now be considered dobutful.


It's going to be a tough old gig against Lyon this saturday for us.

Lyon will rest a number of their first team as they have an important league match coming up....but will still thump us royally.

I am somewhat nonplussed by the decision to release both Tom Lambert and Grant Stewart.
Either Lambert's injury was much worse than reported OR he didn't settle in the most beautiful city in the northern hemisphere OR DW doesn't rate him as a player.
As for grant Stewart; either DW doesn't rate him as a player OR...that's it...I've got nothing.
Given how much potential they seemed to have it is perplexing. Especially Stewart since Chuckles seems to be struggling to put together a run of games. He seems to be in the Alex Dunbar Circle Of Hell: injured, lacking match fitness, not quite up to speed, injured again and repeat.
Tom Lambert really looked a prospect. He's a big loss.

Just a rant here: Kebble played about 35 minutes against the Bulls and gave away three non-scrum penalties. WTAF???

Team for Lyon
Bhatti-Matthews-Ragnar
Gray-McDonald
BBB-Dempsey-Millar A biggish pack but lacking pace and balance in the back row.
Price-Whoever's turn it is at 10
Johnson-Shona
McKay-Smith-Forbes Should be a scintillating back three but is consistently meh.

I think my trip to the Library may be less than wonderful.

here's the actual team;

1. Jamie Bhatti (64)
2. Johnny Matthews (28)
3. Zander Fagerson (112)
4. Rob Harley (264)
5. Richie Gray (80)
6. Ryan Wilson (C) (210)
7. Ally Miller (12)
8. Jack Dempsey (19)
9. Ali Price (108)
10. Ross Thompson (34)
11. Cole Forbes (23)
12. Sam Johnson (90)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (17)
14. Josh McKay (12)
15. Ollie Smith (17)
16. George Turner (74)
17. Nathan McBeth (4)
18. Simon Berghan (10)
19. Lewis Bean (16)
20. Kiran McDonald (52)
21. Gregor Brown (2)
22. Jamie Dobie (35)
23. Domingo Miotti (3)
Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown, Sebastian Canceilliere, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Walter Fifita, Thomas Gordon, George Horne, Rufus McLean, Kyle Steyn, Duncan Weir.

6:2 split on the bench. Meatball is unavailable so the man no-one recognises comes onto the bench.
Not holding out to much hope here; like waiting for tigertattie to offer you a slice of cake you know it's possible but you also now it's never going to happen.