1872 Cup Champions

[Adder]

Nick Haining, back row, from Bristol is the first signing.

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, added: “Nick is someone I’ve been looking at for a while. He’s Australian, but Scottish qualified. He’s a big boy, carries the ball very well and is a good footballer.

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[OptimisticJock]

Found out after posting it's a 2 year deal. 1 would make sense.

[switchskier]

Not seen too much of him but seems to like bashing into people. I guess Edinburgh will be losing Barclay, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury, Mata (at least) for a large chunk of the season so makes sense, even though there's a lot of backrows in the squad already.

I'm not sure that we will lose all of Barclay, Ritchie and Watson but even if wr do there is also Crosbie, Hamilton, Miller and Nayolo, plus any youngsters. Not sure I want to be signing Aussies that can't crack the Bristol side.

[General Zod]

Next up is southern kings hooker, Mike Willemse.

No idea if SQ, but he’s been decent for them.

Replacement for try machine Ross Ford?

[Big D]

Signings all make some sense so far.

With the attrition rate in the back row, as many as 5 going to the RWC, losing players regularly during the 6N, Hamilton OOC, Nayolo and Miller not showing a great deal a cheap senior squad filler is probably required.

RC didn't name check Ford in the interview about Willemse. Suggests that means he is retiring. Good depth piece to lighten load on Rambo.

Eroni Sau, well who doesn't love watching a Fijian winger. Even the shite ones are entertaining.

[Adder]

Next up is southern kings hooker, Mike Willemse.

No idea if SQ, but he’s been decent for them.

Replacement for try machine Ross Ford?

He isn't SQ.

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[OptimisticJock]

Next up is southern kings hooker, Mike Willemse.

No idea if SQ, but he’s been decent for them.

Replacement for try machine Ross Ford?

Someone on Twitter stated hes out of contract this year. Probably means the end for him.

[Big D]

Kalione Nasoko is no.4.

[General Zod]

And Hamish Watson re-signs to complete the day. Nice one. Let’s hope they can finish top 3 this year again!

[OptimisticJock]

Great news on Watson. New signings a bit underwhelming but hopefully bring them on like Mata

[Adder]

Great news on Watson. New signings a bit underwhelming but hopefully bring them on like Mata

2 world class wingers... What do you need?

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[switchskier]

Presumably the fijians aren't going to be playing sevens unless we release them?

I'm.guessing that this means some players are moving on. Guess it could be the end of the line for Fife, Brown, Hoyland and Miller. Which one will Glasgow pick up and turn into the next Lee Jones?

[whatisthejava]

Reckon we will se Ritchie moving along the m8 and probably Brown.

[General Zod]

Can anyone confirm either of these Fijians as YouTube legends? Am yet to see a highlights reel of amazing tries scored against Suva U-14s C dubbed over with some funky music.

[Adder]

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[Big D]

Reckon we will se Ritchie moving along the m8 and probably Brown.

If I was Cockerill and that happens I'd be absolutely furious. Not sure it would make much sense either. Barclay will have his game time heavily managed and we know the attrition rate is high in the back row and Edinburgh can't continue to run Mata until he breaks so 5 quality back rows are required at any club.

Like we did with Bennett they can have the ones that are OOC and we don't want anymore - Miller and Hamilton.

[Mikey Brown]

I guess Cockerill wouldn’t care about this but from a Scotland point of view it seems ridiculous those guys all fighting for game time at Edinburgh while Harley, Fusaro, Smith etc. are getting plenty at Glasgow.

[General Zod]

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Awesome. Where is the European Cup final next year? I want to book my hotel now.

[Big D]

I guess Cockerill wouldn’t care about this but from a Scotland point of view it seems ridiculous those guys all fighting for game time at Edinburgh while Harley, Fusaro, Smith etc. are getting plenty at Glasgow.

The Glasgow 1st string back row is pretty decent in WIlson, Gibbons and Fagerson.

Edinburgh have invested a lot of time in Ritchie. He didn't come through the academy he was pro at 17. Having 5 top back rowers who can be managed effectively and drive standards higher every day isn't a luxury it is a requirement. All of the Edinburgh back rows have spent time out injured this season. Next season will have a lot of high intensity games across a shorter timescale right up to the end of the 6N.

Ritchie will have every chance of being involved most weeks. It would be the equivalent of Edinburgh picking up a 1st choice 23 young talent from Galsgow like mini Horne.

[Mikey Brown]

I wasn’t particularly saying Ritchie should be looking to move. Just commenting that the difference in quality once you move past the first choice is quite stark.

Crosbie for instance is 3rd choice at least at either flanker position, but would surely push to be in the Glasgow 23 most weeks?

That’s not suggesting Edinburgh are being greedy, it’s more a question of Glasgow’s resources.

[Big D]

I wasn’t particularly saying Ritchie should be looking to move. Just commenting that the difference in quality once you move past the first choice is quite stark.

Crosbie for instance is 3rd choice at least at either flanker position, but would surely push to be in the Glasgow 23 most weeks?

Teams need deep back row depth. Literally every senior back row at Edinburgh has spent time injured this season. They will all get game time if RC rolls with Barclay, Bradbury, Ritchie, Watson, Crosbie and Mata. Especially in this WC year, Crosbie will likely start the season in possession of the shirt.

There is no doubt Glasgow are a good side, but to improve players need more than "just" game time, they are clearly benefitting from good forwards coaching and a high level of competition and it is questionable whether they will get that at Glasgow. Several Glasgow players have stalled a bit in their development for differing reasons.

There is a good crop of U20 back rowers who could play along there, Hamilton is OOC too.

[Mikey Brown]

Again, this isn't me saying Glasgow should be free to raid Edinburgh's stocks. Just saying the difference in depth is pretty noticeable. There's a few reasons for that, as you say.

[Big D]

Again, this isn't me saying Glasgow should be free to raid Edinburgh's stocks. Just saying the difference in depth is pretty noticeable. There's a few reasons for that, as you say.

Sorry I know you are not.

Whilst I agree to an extent national interest should be served within reason, the two sides need to be allowed to run as they please (again within reason).

Edinburgh got Bennett and Pyrgos because Glasgow were pretty much done with them where as any of the youngish backrows will likely be used regularly by RC. Especially during the RWC recovery.

[OptimisticJock]

Great news on Watson. New signings a bit underwhelming but hopefully bring them on like Mata

2 world class wingers... What do you need?

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4 world class wingers.

[Mikey Brown]

Good team. How recently had Graham played fullback? No lock on the bench and Scott dropped completely is interesting.