1872 Cup Champions

[whatisthejava]

Idiotic to run into the Cardiff pack and not get rid of Williams.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I can't even find the words to describe how idiotic this team is. Scrum dominance with 10 mins on the clock means very little when you're 2 scores behind. There were gaps all over the shop when Edinburgh got two 5m penalties in a row. Kennedy didn't even look at them. Horne or Price would have been in near the posts by now and 7 points closer to clawing this game back.

Pathetic.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

At least Edinburgh will have no distractions and no excuse to consolidate 3rd place in the league and hope a couple of Scarlets results go their way.

[Cameo]

The issue is they are not yet a good team. Cockerill has done (quickly) what most of us thought he would (i.e. get down the basics and make them hard to beat) but he know has to do the really hard job of turning them into a good team with a decent attack

[OptimisticJock]

Not great for the morale after a 12 hour + shift

[Edinburgh in Exile]

The issue is they are not yet a good team. Cockerill has done (quickly) what most of us thought he would (i.e. get down the basics and make them hard to beat) but he know has to do the really hard job of turning them into a good team with a decent attack

Agreed, we’ve been riding our luck a lot recently too. It was bound to run out, shame it did in two comical Cardiff trys. Credit where it’s due though, they emphatically dealt with our defensive strategy in the first half.

Probably could have done with Kennedy coming on a lot sooner, and perhaps giving up on trying to throw to the back of the lineout, I’d genuinely like to see the stats on completion of the ones we’ve thrown to the back. I’d be surprised if it’s anywhere near 50/50.

Kinghorn was good I thought.

[Edinburgh in Exile]

A replacement for Kinghorn that will actually deal with those Cardiff chip kicks would also be welcome. But apparently it made much more sense to have a 10 and a 10/12 on the bench for Edinburgh so that option doesn't actually exist.

In that defensive structure in general that’s not on him. You want a sweeper picking that up so the fullback can defend the line out wide. That’s Fowels.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Think Edinburgh need to get rid of Fowles and Hodge despite the contract situation. The nonsense from the 9 and 10 axes looks coached to me. Fowles lacks the basic skills however.

Really worrying that Cockerill hasn't had a look at Shiel.

[whatisthejava]

Cockerill says players didnt cope with pressure well

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43608578

I suppose its better that it happens now so Cockerill has a bit of time to make sure his players have the mindset for the end of season push.

Ulster are a mess right now so but after that Scarlets and Glasgow are a different kettle of fish. If Cockers can identify and work with the players then its worth dropping out the diddy cup to give us a chance at the league

[whatisthejava]

Its also clear that some players are so out of their depth, Kennedy just gave us so many more threats than Fowles did, i get the need to control the game but if your slowing down every ball thats not control its fear

[OptimisticJock]

I don't see anything in Fowles. Never have. He wasn't the only one that buckled but they looked capable after him being hooked

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Its also clear that some players are so out of their depth, Kennedy just gave us so many more threats than Fowles did, i get the need to control the game but if your slowing down every ball thats not control its fear

Kennedy didn't play what was in front of him either though. This is coached.

Edinburgh had already decided they were going for 5m mauls and scrums in the red zone regardless of what was in front of them. Even when the clock was running down in the last few mins. There were gaps all over the try line, Cardiff boys talking amongst themselves - some with their backs turned. Kennedy didn't even look. Even Pyrgos would have taken a tap and got the easy 7 points.

[Big D]

I'm no lover of Pyrgos but if there really isn't anyone available I'd be tempted to go with Pyrgos, Shiel and McAndrew next season.

Shiel and McAndrew both young (21 and 24) and been the 9 for 2 of the 3 the best teams in Scotland. McAndrew also been Baggots half back partner.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I'm no lover of Pyrgos but if there really isn't anyone available I'd be tempted to go with Pyrgos, Shiel and McAndrew next season.

Shiel and McAndrew both young (21 and 24) and been the 9 for 2 of the 3 the best teams in Scotland. McAndrew also been Baggots half back partner.

Agreed. This isn't going to work for Edinburgh next season. Glasgow have 4 better scrum halves than the ones on Edinburgh's books for next season.

I think it's actually more important that Edinburgh get someone onto the coaching staff that has 9 experience. The Glasgow boys have Blair to turn to. Edinburgh previously had Laidlaw/Blair/Lawson in the playing ranks. SHC, Fowles, Kennedy and Shiel are all fairly young. I'm not clear where their specialist coaching/advice would be coming from?

[Big D]

I'm no lover of Pyrgos but if there really isn't anyone available I'd be tempted to go with Pyrgos, Shiel and McAndrew next season.

Shiel and McAndrew both young (21 and 24) and been the 9 for 2 of the 3 the best teams in Scotland. McAndrew also been Baggots half back partner.

Agreed. This isn't going to work for Edinburgh next season. Glasgow have 4 better scrum halves than the ones on Edinburgh's books for next season.

I think it's actually more important that Edinburgh get someone onto the coaching staff that has 9 experience. The Glasgow boys have Blair to turn to. Edinburgh previously had Laidlaw/Blair/Lawson in the playing ranks. SHC, Fowles, Kennedy and Shiel are all fairly young. I'm not clear where their specialist coaching/advice would be coming from?

To be honest Blair as Scotland coach should be available to both pro sides as required. It makes no sense for a national coach not to be available to consultation or specialist 1 on 1 sessions.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Ceccarelli 1 year deal to cover prop. Doesn't figure in Italy's plans so should be available during international windows.

Pyrgos to Edinburgh seems to be getting more and more traction but it could be borne out of frustration at Fowles' performance on the weekend.

[General Zod]

Pyrgos to Edinburgh seems to be getting more and more traction but it could be borne out of frustration at Fowles' performance on the weekend.

I reckon that’s gonna happen and Finlay Christie may well join at the end of the super rugby season.

[Big D]

Pyrgos to Edinburgh seems to be getting more and more traction but it could be borne out of frustration at Fowles' performance on the weekend.

I reckon that’s gonna happen and Finlay Christie may well join at the end of the super rugby season.

He's contracted for 2 years at the Canes IIRC.

[Big D]

Hmm that Italian fella signing possibly pushes McCallum further down the reckoning which would be disappointing.

[Big D]

Watson having shoulder op. Done for the season and summer tour. Seems like it could have been managed but this is a sensible course of action.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, seems like the right time. Would like to have rested him anyway. It would be good to see if Hardie can hold together too.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

He will be a huge loss to Edinburgh if they make the knock out rounds of the Pro 14.

Hardie will do just fine for the next 3 games.

Scotland should be looking at developing options this summer so no complaints here.

[Adder]

Players leaving this summer(official):

Departing Players: Kevin Bryce, Glenn Bryce, Neil Cochrane, Robbie Fruean, John Hardie, Elliot Millar-Mills, Matt Shields, Cornell du Preez, Jason Harries, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Jordan Lay, Duncan Weir, Jason Tovey, Tom Galbraith, Phil Burleigh, Junior Rasolea




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[Mikey Brown]

I’m particularly interested where Hardie, Bryce and SHC are going.

[OptimisticJock]

I thought SHC was going to Worcester?