Glasgow & Edinburgh Discussion Thread 31: The Roadmap for Success Vs The Perpetual Roadworks of Incompetence

[NeilyBroon]

First topic message reminder :

As requested, another thread connected by the M8. Two teams about as comparable as Adam Peaty and Eric the Eel.

Will Glasgow build on their title win next season?

Will Edinburgh even make the top half of the table?

Speculation and more on another volume of the patter papers.

[BigGee]

That looked pretty easy for Toulon, they made the space and took it

Time for the cavalry I think

[BigGee]

Big Brian goes over against his old mates

27-15 Toulon

[bsando]

guessing Franco probably wanted to bring the bench on later but needs must. Still time to salvage this but Toulon look formidable.

[BigGee]

Big Jare has just got better and better each game and over he goes

27-22 Toulon

[BigGee]

Another Toulon pen takes it back out to 2 scores

30-22 Toulon

[BigGee]

Great finish from Warriors

A late try gives us the 2 BPs, I guess we will take that.

Pity Duncy missed a pretty easy conversion

All in all I am pretty happy with that, this was always the most difficult tie for us and to do it with such a young side speaks volumes

Jack Mann and Big Jare were extremely impressive.

[jimbopip]

Well! Disappointed or pleased? We could have won that. Should we have?
It reminds me of the guy who was runner-up on anvepisode of Naked Attraction ans said, " I am disappointed but I got to see a hot girl naked. So I'm not that upset."

[BigGee]

Well! Disappointed or pleased?  We could have won that. Should we have?
It reminds me of the guy who was runner-up on anvepisode of Naked Attraction ans said, " I  am disappointed but I got to see a hot girl naked. So I'm not that upset."

We would have taken the 2pts had it been offered before the game Jim

2 five pointers from our last 2 games could still have us topping the group.

To do a thing in the knockouts, we were always going to have to go away at some stage. 2 home ties probably about as much as we could realistically hope for.

[jimbopip]

I said earlier in this thread that 2 points would be a good return. On current form we have the beating of Racing and that should set up an exciting evening at the Stoop.

[RDW]

Think this could be a tough watch for Glasgow fans. That's not the pack you want to be taking to Toulon.

Or halfbacks for that matter!

Shows what I know!

[Hazel Sapling]

Brilliant game. Disappointed to lose by 1 when Weir missed an easy conversion in the first half. I thought then it could come back to bite us and lo and behold. However...

we went to a near first choice Toulon that are playing well with a hooker covering back-row on the bench, starting our third choice halfback pairing, our second/third choice lock pairing and two back-rows who would not be in the first choice 23.

What I took away from the game is that JO and Mann are ready for bigger roles. JO could easily become a bolter for the Six Nations with Henderson maybe needing a bit longer to come back and J Gray apparently injuring his ankle this weekend. He looked dynamic for the entire 80. As for Mann, losing one of Dempsey or M Fagerson at the end of the season suddenly does not look THAT bad.

[BigGee]

I am not sure JO is quite ready for international rugby just yet, but he surely has the potential.

He has been chucked in a the deep end, due to injuries but seems to be picking it up very well but we should not expect to much to soon.

Glasgow are getting into a bit of a crisis at lock though, Samuel's looked like he was pulled off for a head knock as well this evening. We badly need some if the others back fit again.

[BigGee]

Lord Stafford has been cited following the Toulon match for allegedly making contact with the eye area of Facondo Issa, the Puma backrow.

That will unfortunately be worth a few weeks on the sidelines if upheld.

Glasgow getting just a little bit more stretched week by week.

[George Carlin]

Lord Stafford has been cited following the Toulon match for allegedly making contact with the eye area of Facondo Issa, the Puma backrow.

That will unfortunately be worth a few weeks on the sidelines if upheld.

Glasgow getting just a little bit more stretched week by week.

Yes and he can't even invoke the Gallus Exemption because he never played for Ayr.

[jimbopip]

See that's where you're mistaken, GC. The Good Lord Stafford received the Big Gee; Gallus Exemption Exemption due to his all round...well gallusness. Stafford didn't need to play for Ayr as he was already the finished article the first time he caught a rugby ball.

[Hazel Sapling]

Saw the contact to the eyes in real time and it did not look great but it was accidental. It should be a low end reduced by good conduct and apology.

Tuipulotu has had two starts in a row and would have expected a game off in one of the derby matches ahead of the two tough Euro games. I wonder if we are going to see one of the youngsters start one of the games against Edinburgh such as Simpson or Munn.

[BigGee]

We will likely see Duncy start one of the matches at FH and Jordan moving into 12 to give Sione a rest for one of the games.

Kyle Steyn, who I think we will see back in action soon, also plays centre, but not really at 12.

We do really need to bring some more backs through and with the 6:2 that Franco favours, that is always difficult. Now might be the time.

[BigGee]

An easy Xmas present for Warriors fans, with Zander signing another multi year deal.

Probably the most important signing of this contract cycle!

We had a lot of big players coming up for contract renewal this year and it has mostly gone very well so far!

[mikey_dragon]

An easy Xmas present for Warriors fans, with Zander signing another multi year deal.

Probably the most important signing of this contract cycle!

We had a lot of big players coming up for contract renewal this year and it has mostly gone very well so far!

Glasgow have a strong squad and a great coach, I'm hoping Wales can nick him...

When is big lock JP du Preez back for you? I think he could bring that edge that is needed when you reach the latter stages of all competitions.

[BigGee]

An easy Xmas present for Warriors fans, with Zander signing another multi year deal.

Probably the most important signing of this contract cycle!

We had a lot of big players coming up for contract renewal this year and it has mostly gone very well so far!

Glasgow have a strong squad and a great coach, I'm hoping Wales can nick him...

When is big lock JP du Preez back for you? I think he could bring that edge that is needed when you reach the latter stages of all competitions.

Hopefully in the new year. It has been a bad injury, out for over a year.

[jimbopip]

Right lads let's get cracking with the festive festivities.
The Luvvies are in for a right gubbing on Sunday. The second leg will be a mere formality which will allow the General to rest a few players before the important games against Racing and Quins.

The line up for Toulon was;

1 Jamie Bhatti (110)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (16)
3 Sam Talakai (7)
4 Jare Oguntibeju (2)
5 Alex Samuel (22)
6 Henco Venter (27)
7 Rory Darge (54)
8 Jack Mann (3)

9 Ben Afshar (11)
10 Duncan Weir (154)
11 Kyle Rowe (24)
12 Stafford McDowall (82)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (C) (61)
14 Jamie Dobie (75)
15 Josh McKay (56)

Replacements

16 Johnny Matthews (81)
17 Rory Sutherland (5)
18 Zander Fagerson (155)
19 Scott Cummings (132)
20 Matt Fagerson (118)
21 Angus Fraser (14)
22 George Horne (125)
23 Tom Jordan (57)

Unavailable for selection: Gregor Brown (chest), Jack Dempsey (shoulder), Euan Ferrie (foot), Adam Hastings (face), Nathan McBeth (calf), Ally Miller (thigh), JP du Preez (knee), Kyle Steyn (leg), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck), Max Williamson (hand).

I think that starting front five will stay the same. We don't have any more fit second rows so unless Ferrie, brown or Miller are being pushed into emergency action it'll be Jare-samuels-Cummings sharing the load. I expect Ragnar to get a rest. Schickerling would be the next cab off the rank. On the loose head Wombat and Suzz seem to be the main men; Alan dell is quickly becoming the forgotten man at Scotstoun and it would be great to see Nathan Macbeth get a run out if he's fit.

I think we'll see;
Wombat-Scouse Jonny-Talakai (Dell-Hiddleston-Ragnar)
Jare-Cummings (Samuels)
In the back row, the General keeps trying to start Ally Miller so maybe he'll get lucky on Sunday. Darge is due a rest. Jack Mann should keep his place. And I think Big Shona may well be fit. So I'll say Miller-Big Shona-Mann, there's no scavenging 7 there so it may be a case of "There's three jerseys lads, sort yourselves out." Oh and Henco and Angus Fraser to bench.

Ashfar and Meatball to start. Dobie and ??? to bench. TJ needs a rest. So does he bench this weekend and have the dead rubber off? Is Richie Simpson ready? It's only The MFL so why not?
We could well be missing Stafford so it'll probably be the Shug'nShona show.
Apparently Seaman will be fit so a rest for The Mullet. Seba on the other wing. Let's have Ollie Smith at FB.
TJ and Mckay on the bench.

[EWT Spoons]

I think the Edinburgh team largely picks itself, we have some depth, but it's not great.

Schoeman
Ashman
Sebastian (unless Hill recovers quickly)
Sykes
Gilco
Ritchie
Crosbie
Bradbury
Price
Thomson
Duhan
Tuipulotu
Currie
Darcy
Goosen

Cherry
Venter
Rae
Skinner
Dodd
Velacott
Healy
Lang

Pretty much largely unchanged from last week, but with Velacott back from injury he might take the bench slot ahead of Shiel.  Hill would have started for me, but he picked up a knock so is likely out.  Muncaster might come back in, but he's just back from injury. The starting back row did well last week and Dodd is more than capable when he comes off the bench.

[BigGee]

Talk on the Glasgow front that Big Jare may also be injured in which case second row becomes a big problem. The only one we know is fit us Cummings, as Samuel's also went off last weekend.

Could we see an academy player step up, or maybe Henco Venter?

[Hazel Sapling]

If JO is injured, that is a gut punch. Samuels looked like he got crunched in the back and went off straight after.

Whatever happened to Ruaraidh Hart? He was meant to be a prospect and got an appearance a year or so ago.

[George Carlin]

Perhaps Edinburgh could participate in a Bring Your Spare Lock To Work Day?

[Boston Exile]

The academy still has Hart listed but unsure if it's reliable. There are a couple of other 2nd rows who are bigger but look a little young and unsure Franco would risk them (then again good enough, old enough). Loss of RG showing we need some luck to see out the season successfully with so few 2nd rows.

[RDW]

Perhaps Edinburgh could participate in a Bring Your Spare Lock To Work Day?

We'll swap you 1 lock for Huwipolotu

[BigGee]

3 weeks off for Lord Stafford.

Seems about right really for a careless incident like that.

He will be missing 3 big games for Glasgow though, hopefully Huwipolotu manage to stay fit!

[BigGee]

Glasgow Warriors team to face Edinburgh at Hampden Park, Sunday 22 December, kick-off 3pm. Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Jamie Bhatti (111)
2 Johnny Matthews (82)
3 Zander Fagerson (156)
4 Gregor Brown (26)
5 Scott Cummings (133)
6 Ally Miller (30)
7 Matt Fagerson (119)
8 Jack Mann (4)

9 George Horne (126)
10 Tom Jordan (58)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (79)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (62)
13 Huw Jones (75)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (44)
15 Kyle Rowe (25)

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston (17)
17 Rory Sutherland (6)
18 Patrick Schickerling (3)
19 Alex Samuel (23)
20 Grant Stewart (52)
21 Angus Fraser (15)
22 Jamie Dobie (76)
23 Duncan Weir (155)

Unavailable for selection: Rory Darge (head), Jack Dempsey (shoulder), Euan Ferrie (foot), Adam Hastings (face), Nathan McBeth (calf), Stafford McDowall (suspension), Josh McKay (thigh), JP du Preez (knee), Jare Oguntibeju (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Henco Venter (head), Murphy Walker (neck), Max Williamson (hand).

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 16th league game)
AR 1: Sam Grove-White (SRU) AR 2: Ru Campbell (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

[BigGee]

A decent amount of injuries for Glasgow but still a pretty strong looking team.

Kyle Steyn back to lead the boys and a timely return to the row for Gregor Brown.

25,000 tickets sold and rising for this match. It is going to be quite an occasion and should be a great game.

[Hazel Sapling]

As strong a side as realistically could be put out considering the injuries in the second and back rows. Brown and Samuel being fit is a god send.

Same time, feel that Franco is missing a trick by relying on both Stewart and Fraser to act as backrows. Having an academy product there like Duncan would be far more meaningful. He is likely to leave Stewart or Fraser on the bench to the last 10 if it is close (should they get on at all) and if we are hammering Edinburgh, getting an academy player exposure at this level in front of 25k+ would be an incredible introduction. The alternative is to revert to a 5:3 bench amidst the injury crisis.

It is a worrying front five going up against Edinburgh in the first half. Brown is undersized for lock and Edinburgh should have a good weight advantage. Showers tomorrow afternoon so could be a long first 40 minutes.

[Boston Exile]

For derbies like this current positions go out the window. On paper we should win despite the absentees, but the gap isn't that great. The difference from my POV is the team preparation and cohesion where we should have a big advantage. The danger is Edinburgh will need little motivation to be up for it. They won't want to be thought of as the B team in Scotland and many will want to make a point to Townsend and others. Somewhere in these 3 games they may well click. Their players are good, it is the team that is underperforming, they can mount a challenge. This has the makings of a good series, we should win all 3 but any under-performance and they'll be there to hand us the proverbial. Looking forward to the commencement of hostilities.

[TJ]

wtf is the "celtic challenge"? apparently Edinburgh gave Glasgow a right beating in it tonight :-)

[BigGee]

wtf is the "celtic challenge"?  apparently Edinburgh gave Glasgow a right beating in it tonight :-)

It is the women's version of 1872 cup.

[TJ]

Ah - thanks

Anyway - good omen for Sunday! I shall be going over to the west from luvviedom to watch with my parents - Weegies the pair of them!

[RDW]

Greetings from freezing cold Edinburgh! We're over for Christmas and it's fair to say this is a shock to the system from 30deg Sydney, and everyone keeps telling me it's not that cold just now. Clearly Sydney has made me a big softy.

I had high hopes of going to 1872 but my mum asked for a volunteer to go to the theatre with her at the same time. Unfortunately she asked at 3am Australia time meaning my siblings all came up with excuses before I had the chance.

Looking forward to watching some rugby at a reasonable timezone though, starting with the Hampden leg. I look at that Glasgow team and think "that's not that good a team" but forget that the strength of Glasgow is they always turn up no matter what team they put out. By contrast Edinburgh put the same team out and don't know who will turn up.

Edinburgh by 60

[demosthenes]

Now advertising 30,000 tickets sold for tomorrow.

[BigGee]

30K is pretty impressive and must be at the very upper end of what Glasgow hoped for from this fixture. Hopefully well over the break even point as well.

I imagine this fixture is now here to stay

[jimbopip]

Greetings from freezing cold Edinburgh! We're over for Christmas and it's fair to say this is a shock to the system from 30deg Sydney, and everyone keeps telling me it's not that cold just now. Clearly Sydney has made me an even bigger big softy.

I had high hopes of going to 1872 but my mum asked for a volunteer to go to the theatre with her at the same time. Unfortunately she asked at 3am Australia time meaning my siblings all came up with excuses before I had the chance. Once a mummy's boy always a mummy's boy. Your time in the penal colony hasn't toughened you up at all.

Looking forward to watching some rugby at a reasonable timezone though, starting with the Hampden leg. I look at that Glasgow team and think "that's not that good a team" but forget  that the strength of Glasgow is they always turn up no matter what team they put out. By contrast Edinburgh put the same team out and don't know who will turn up.

Edinburgh by 60

Flounder, I hope you're loving being home for Chrimbo.
The Glasgow side have no fewer than 11 changes from the side that were unfortunate to lose by one point in Toulon. Behind the scrum, they're really strong. I think our backs are by far the better set. However, the contest between the opposing 12's should be "interesting". Tuipulotu versus Tuipulotu granny's Wee Man versus Granny's Wee Man There was an interview with Wee Shona a while ago and he was saying his granny watches all the games Down Under. He made a point of saying she never rewatches his games but always records and re-watches Moseses' games. But he wasn't bitter, oh no, no sibling jealousy there. No sir. None at all. I think the youngster is going to be beaten like the dinner gong in a cheap Blackpool boarding house.
Some, delusional misinformed, people are suggesting the Luvvies have the upper hand in the front five. Gregor Brown is perceived as a weakness in the second row. There are some cult members at Scotstoun who worship Ginger One as the reincarnation of Big Bad Bob. Tomorrow will tell; he will be revealed as the new messiah...or merely a very naughty boy. I think 8 minutes in and he and GG get yellow cards after exchanging Christmas greetings at the back of a ruck.
Glasgow to scrape a narrow win: 71-3

[George Carlin]

wtf is the "celtic challenge"?  apparently Edinburgh gave Glasgow a right beating in it tonight :-)

As FES will tell you, those Stockbridge ladies are mean.

There was an ugly incident where the Glasgow front row accused their Edinburgh counterparts of 'looking like you fly economy'.

[cakeordeath]

Now advertising 30,000 tickets sold for tomorrow.

I think that is for the Murrayfield leg, last number I for Hampden heard wasn't far off, with 25K sold.

[jimbopip]

Now advertising 30,000 tickets sold for tomorrow.

I think that is for the Murrayfield leg, last number I for Hampden heard wasn't far off, with 25K sold.

Lots of people giving different numbers; it's like listening to the Covid enquiry estimating how many gazillions were given away to the VIP Lane Golden Ticket winners.
Big Al Kellock said 28K, as in four times Scotstoun's capacity (without the temporary stands). Big Al can say whatever he wants and I'll nod in agreement, Mammy Pip didn't raise no heroes.

As far as Hampden, and giving up home advantage goes; I am reminded of Malcolm McDonald whose goal scoring exploits for Noocassell, The Arse an all and Engurlund would put him in the same class as Jonny Matthews. When asked for his memories of Wembilee and Hampden he said that standing in the tunnell at Wembilee all he could smell was hot dogs while at Hampden it was always McEwans Export .Lets hope the lingering aroma of Lanliq and poverty puts the Luvvies off their game.

[BigGee]

Here we go

Johnny the Scouser scores off a 5m lineout

7-0 Glasgow

[BigGee]

Not smart from Schoeman
Lucky to just get a YC for that!

[BigGee]

Vintage Glasgow, ripping Edinburgh to shreads

Shuggy scores under the posts

14-0 Glasgow

[tigertattie]

Vintage Glasgow, ripping Edinburgh to shreads

Shuggy scores under the posts

14-0 Glasgow

Glasgow deserving of their 14 point lead.

Edinburgh are woeful. Ali price kicking away the ball on the opponents 22 and running about trying to avoid as many tackles as he can. Shoeman pointlessly putting a shoulder into brown for absolutely no need.

Consolation for Edinburgh is we can probably give Glasgow a good BP win to help them in the league

[BigGee]

Kyle Rowe looks such an accomplished player these days

Those 2 takes on these conditions were outstanding

[BigGee]

One penalty after another by Edinburgh takes us right down to their line and the inevitable Matthews try follows along

21-0 Glasgow

[BigGee]

Sykes into the bin for a silly high tackle following a warning

Edinburgh are killing themselves

[tigertattie]

I honestly don’t mind Glasgow winning, better team but far

My issue is how utter dugshoite Edinburgh are. Penalties and price are costing us any positives to take away from this.

Anyone doing anything fun for Christmas?

[Sponsored content]