1872 Cup Champions

[Mikey Brown]

Fair enough, at least they got that part right. Got the impression it was missed. Shows my level of confidence in the refs I suppose.

[septic 9]

Fair enough, at least they got that part right. Got the impression it was missed. Shows my level of confidence in the refs I suppose.

Owens was running touch and it was still never in doubt!

[General Zod]

More here from Cockerill...

https://www.theoffsideline.com/richard- ... cba1185463

I reckon the ban should be until the week after the lad makes his pro comeback.

[septic 9]

well it was deemed high end so minimum entry point of 10 weeks. Surprised TBH but only because of the usual nonsense we see. But of course he got 50% discount so only 5 weeks.

[switchskier]

As posted on the AI thread, Edinburgh squad for tomorrow night. Three questions:

1. Is Charlie Shiel actually able to cover ten, or is this just desperation? How did we end up this short?

2. Is Ally Miller actually on a contract now? If he's not then why not if he's going to start ahead of Kunavula or Boyle or Darge?

3. Is Davidson injured? Or has he been signed and Cockers has decided that he doesn't like the look of him?

Edinburgh: Jack Blain, Eroni Sau, Mark Bennett, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Nathan Chamberlain, Henry Pyrgos (capt); Pierre Schoeman, David Cherry, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Andries Ferreira, Jamie Hodgson, Magnus Bradbury, Luke Crosbie, Ally Miller.

Replacements: Mike Willemse, Sam Grahamslaw, Dan Gamble, Marshall Sykes, Connor Boyle, Nic Groom, Charlie Shiel, James Johnstone.

Cardiff Blues: Hallam Amos; Aled Summerhill, Garyn Smith, Max Llewellyn, Owen Lane; Jason Tovey, Lewis Jones; Brad Thyer, Kristian Dacey (capt), Dmitri Arhip, James Ratti, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Will Boyde

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Corey Domachowski, Scott Andrews, Ben Murphy, Sam Moore, Jamie Hill, Ben Thomas, Matthew Morgan.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Hollie Davidson and Ian Kenny (both SRU)

TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

[septic 9]

As posted on the AI thread, Edinburgh squad for tomorrow night. Three questions:

1. Is Charlie Shiel actually able to cover ten, or is this just desperation? How did we end up this short?

2. Is Ally Miller actually on a contract now? If he's not then why not if he's going to start ahead of Kunavula or Boyle or Darge?

3. Is Davidson injured? Or has he been signed and Cockers has decided that he doesn't like the look of him?

Edinburgh: Jack Blain, Eroni Sau, Mark Bennett, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Nathan Chamberlain, Henry Pyrgos (capt); Pierre Schoeman, David Cherry, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Andries Ferreira, Jamie Hodgson, Magnus Bradbury, Luke Crosbie, Ally Miller.

Replacements: Mike Willemse, Sam Grahamslaw, Dan Gamble, Marshall Sykes, Connor Boyle, Nic Groom, Charlie Shiel, James Johnstone.

Cardiff Blues: Hallam Amos; Aled Summerhill, Garyn Smith, Max Llewellyn, Owen Lane; Jason Tovey, Lewis Jones; Brad Thyer, Kristian Dacey (capt), Dmitri Arhip, James Ratti, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Will Boyde

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Corey Domachowski, Scott Andrews, Ben Murphy, Sam Moore, Jamie Hill, Ben Thomas, Matthew Morgan.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Hollie Davidson and Ian Kenny (both SRU)

TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

here's a novel idea. Have a read at the official team announcement. Just a thought. Sheil is just someone guessing

[Big D]

As posted on the AI thread, Edinburgh squad for tomorrow night. Three questions:

1. Is Charlie Shiel actually able to cover ten, or is this just desperation? How did we end up this short?

2. Is Ally Miller actually on a contract now? If he's not then why not if he's going to start ahead of Kunavula or Boyle or Darge?

3. Is Davidson injured? Or has he been signed and Cockers has decided that he doesn't like the look of him?

Edinburgh: Jack Blain, Eroni Sau, Mark Bennett, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Nathan Chamberlain, Henry Pyrgos (capt); Pierre Schoeman, David Cherry, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Andries Ferreira, Jamie Hodgson, Magnus Bradbury, Luke Crosbie, Ally Miller.

Replacements: Mike Willemse, Sam Grahamslaw, Dan Gamble, Marshall Sykes, Connor Boyle, Nic Groom, Charlie Shiel, James Johnstone.

Cardiff Blues: Hallam Amos; Aled Summerhill, Garyn Smith, Max Llewellyn, Owen Lane; Jason Tovey, Lewis Jones; Brad Thyer, Kristian Dacey (capt), Dmitri Arhip, James Ratti, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Will Boyde

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Corey Domachowski, Scott Andrews, Ben Murphy, Sam Moore, Jamie Hill, Ben Thomas, Matthew Morgan.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Hollie Davidson and Ian Kenny (both SRU)

TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

Wouldn't be a massive surprise to see Pyrgos be the 10 cover.

He is an 8, IIRC Boyle and Darge aren't.

Yes he and Carmichael are injured.

[Chunks Baws]

Scotland international Hamish Watson could be on the move, according to a report in today’s edition of The Rugby Paper.

The Manchester-born flanker, who began his career with Leicester Tigers before joining Edinburgh, is ‘set to leave’ the Scottish capital when his contract expires in 2021.

Watson will be looking for a ‘lucrative package’ as he approaches the peak years of his career.

France is the likely destination with the 29-year-old back-rower possibly joining international teammate Finn Russell at Racing 92, who are based in Paris.

[Big D]

Scotland international Hamish Watson could be on the move, according to a report in today’s edition of The Rugby Paper.

The Manchester-born flanker, who began his career with Leicester Tigers before joining Edinburgh, is ‘set to leave’ the Scottish capital when his contract expires in 2021.

Watson will be looking for a ‘lucrative package’ as he approaches the peak years of his career.

France is the likely destination with the 29-year-old back-rower possibly joining international teammate Finn Russell at Racing 92, who are based in Paris.

It has to happen unfortunately. With our budgets what they are, stocks of back row needing game time and Watson having earned the right for a pay day (if someone is offering) this is probably the right time to move.

[Cameo]

Yeah, wouldn't begrudge him that and there are a bunch of backrow's there - though not yet of his quality.

[ARM]

Just switched on the Edinburgh game. Thought there was something wrong with my stream for a minute.

[Cameo]

Haha

Decent win that in bizarre conditions. Pyrgos was good and Cherry was excellent. Miles ahead of Willemse for me.

They are definitely still hiding/protecting Chamberlain but hopefully will trust him more and more.

[AL.]

I was pretty impressed by Miller last night, or what I could see of him anyway... He looks like he might be the business if Mish is off,

[Big D]

I was pretty impressed by Miller last night, or what I could see of him anyway... He looks like he might be the business if Mish is off,

I think Crosbie will be the man at 7 if Watson does go, and maybe if he stays too.

Miller has probably shown enough to get a 15s deal and the Edinburgh backrow is likely to see a shake up soon with Mata and Watson OOC so interesting times ahead.

[Chunks Baws]

I was pretty impressed by Miller last night, or what I could see of him anyway... He looks like he might be the business if Mish is off,

Miller is being noticed outside of Scotland too, which is always nice. A couple of Welsh journos were praising him last night.

[Cameo]

Yeah, he seems to have done consistently well when given a spot. Looks a bit more solid/less callow now but maybe that's just the hair.

[AL.]

Did'nt realise Mata was out of contract already?! Only seems like yesterday he extended.....

We will do well to keep him now, the new (recently starting?) Fijian fella (whose name escapes me) looks like he could be pretty handy though.

[Mikey Brown]

Wouldn't blame Watson at all for taking a French payday, and I'm sure they'd love Mata over there too with his highlights reel.

I'd love to see Crosbie step up as first choice and if Bradbury wants to establish himself as an international 8 he needs to be playing there more regularly.

[General Zod]

New tighthead prop possibly on his way for next season. Luan de Bruin.

https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/supe ... e-20201111

[switchskier]

New tighthead prop possibly on his way for next season. Luan de Bruin.

https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/supe ... e-20201111

Presumably a replacement for Nel, though I think that Atalifo is only on a one year contract. We could do with a young scottish tight head stepping up to provide more competition than Berghan is providing.

[switchskier]

I was pretty impressed by Miller last night, or what I could see of him anyway... He looks like he might be the business if Mish is off,

Miller is being noticed outside of Scotland too, which is always nice. A couple of Welsh journos were praising him last night.

Have now watched the highlights and he did look explosive. Surely it's time to get him off the sevens contract and part of the squad on a more permanent basis.

A nice win, especially not conceeding any points. After two games where the scrumhalves found space at will it was nice to see forwards actually guarding close to the ruck. Still looks incredibly laboured in attack though

[switchskier]

Anyone watch the game last night?

I'm not really buying Cockerills comments afterwards. Looking at the two teams we have at least as many players who are in and around the first team. To Heir locks are great and the back row is strong but they're relying on some talented youngsters in the backs. Certainly it's not so much weaker that a 40 point drubbing should be expected.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54974833

Leinster: J. O'Brien, C. Kelleher, Turner, Frawley, Kearney, H. Byrne, McGrath, Dooley, Tracy, Bent, Toner, Fardy, Leavy, Penny, Ruddock.

Replacements: Hawkshaw for H. Byrne (54), O'Sullivan for McGrath (57), Milne for Dooley (50), Sheehan for Tracy (50), Parker for Bent (50), Molony for Toner (68), Baird for Leavy (57), Murphy for Ruddock (50).

Edinburgh: Blain, Sau, Bennett, Dean, Farndale, Chamberlain, Pyrgos, Schoeman, Cherry, Atalifo, Ferreira, Davidson, Bradbury, Crosbie, Miller.

Replacements: Shiel for Farndale (69), Groom for Pyrgos (47), Grahamslaw for Schoeman (68), Willemse for Cherry (56), Gamble for Atalifo (52), Hodgson for Ferreira (56), Darge for Davidson (62). Not Used: Johnstone. Sin Bin: Sau (46)

[Cameo]

Yeah, that starting Edinburgh team has a lot of players who have started big matches for Edinburgh and will do so again. I got that Edinburgh and Glasgow don't have the strength and depth they did but I don't think Cockerill is a great coach when he doesn't have a dominant pack.

There is something about a Leinster youngster though. They are such a well oiled machine.

[Mikey Brown]

Yep. Maybe it was on here anyway but I saw something about Leinster's last 8 or so home games all being wins in the 35-60 point region. They really are a ridiculous side.

Regardless of that, Edinburgh really have stalled and Cockerill's attitude when things aren't going so well has always been questionable.

[septic 9]

Anyone watch the game last night?

I'm not really buying Cockerills comments afterwards. Looking at the two teams we have at least as many players who are in and around the first team.

I watched it. First up Leinster are extremely good. Well coached to set style and plan. And an excellent academy system. It is a style suited to the way the game is reffed. Could argue if its them adjusting to that better than the rest or if refs have been told to ref it that way to suit certain unions/clubs. End product is the same.

So a 50pt defeat in Dublin especially during international windows is now the norm, see Glasgow's result in Feb this year.
Ironically I think full Leinster are less likely to put on 50 as often, and are worse to watch.

However your comment on Cockerill is spot on. He had two kids in the starting XV. One played well enough, the other's lack of experience has been magnified by Cockerill's refusal to give him reasonable game time until he had to, and then had clearly told the rest of the team to avoid giving him the ball. Even late in the game last night he was a threat that VDW could only dream about.
Cockerill is stuck in the past as a coach. And when anyone takes on his pack, or moves them around, he is sunk, clueless. He'll be scweeming at the SRU for more players any minute now. His last 2 signings have been, well shit, even as short term emergency cover.