The Glasgow Carpet Burns and Cary Grant Appreciation Thread

[septic 9]

Yeah, there’s a fair few worried for the playoffs (and Lions) from a Glasgow perspective.

McDowall feels so crucial now it seems odd to see him dropped for anyone but Jones.

Hiddlestone is firmly ahead as number 1 hooker then?

Jordan and McDowell had bee really off form, Jordan was back last week, but it still just wasn't happening for McDowell, so this is no surprise for me. Anyway he is on the bench covering back row as well as centre
Hiddlestone is rightly no1 hooker, deservedly. After the game in Dublin a few weeks back I am disappointed Stephens isn't no2! Maul tries have dried up, Mathews doesn't offers less in other areas and his throwing in is poor

BYW Mikey, looking at the time of your post, are you an insomniac or down under?

[Mikey Brown]

Out on the sauce and didn’t even remember that I’d written that. I’m a real wildcard, you see.

Fair enough on McDowall and Jordan. I’ve hardly managed to keep up with club rugby this season, relying on highlights doesn’t give you a full picture so appreciate the updates/context.

Great to hear Hiddlestone is making his mark. Front row depth is such a concern for Scotland, but sounds like there’s a few guys starting to make a more consistent impact at club level.

[paddy no 11]

Glasgow half backs on a nightmare, have to go Jordan 10 now

[Cameo]

Not quite as bad as the Champions Cup, but weren't really competitive.

Not good in the air and, while I can see why they don't want to play too much in their own half against that defence, the kicking strategy made it quite easy for Leinster. I think they should be aiming to move on from Horne over time. Great player for Glasgow, and wins them a lot lot more matches than he loses, but time to see if Dobie or Ashfar can go to the next level.

The scrum was obviously a big issue too.

Leinster were very good I thought.

[Cameo]

Oh, and why has McDowall started shanking all his clearance kicks? Been happening for a little while now.

[Cameo]

Dan Lancaster confirmed. Never knowingly seem him play (though did he play v Glasgow this year). Some fairly positive noises but we will see.

[Mikey Brown]

Well he was keeping Owen Farrell (who has just been called up to the Lions) out of the Racing side, whatever that means.

Sounds like a capable 10/12 who people were slightly surprised see step up from Championship level.

[septic 9]

Dan Lancaster confirmed. Never knowingly seem him play (though did he play v Glasgow this year). Some fairly positive noises but we will see.

he looked comfortable in the Racing side, better than I imagined TBH. Farrell never looked as comfortable (I did read that one of the reasons he left was the physical demands of the T14 )
Racing were shite TBF

[Donny osmond]

Season tickets acquired, coming back after a 10 year break. Looking forward to it too, hope they continue playing attractive running rugby. Some of this seasons tries were brilliant to watch, so fingers crossed.

[Cameo]

The youngest Tuipulotu has signed for Glasgow. Sione has suggested he's the best of the lot, but you always here stuff like that from older brothers.

A lot of young hookers about. May be a struggle for them all to get gametime (though some might play a bit in the backrow).

https://www.theoffsideline.com/glasgow- ... 26-season/

[septic 9]

The youngest Tuipulotu has signed for Glasgow. Sione has suggested he's the best of the lot, but you always here stuff like that from older brothers.

A lot of young hookers about. May be a struggle for them all to get gametime (though some might play a bit in the backrow).

https://www.theoffsideline.com/glasgow- ... 26-season/

7 hookers signed up. 4 back 3 players plus Dobie, could lose Rowe, Steyn and Dobie to Scotland half the season.

Sorry this is an SRU shambles. No head coach would end up in a mess like this

[Cameo]

The youngest Tuipulotu has signed for Glasgow. Sione has suggested he's the best of the lot, but you always here stuff like that from older brothers.

A lot of young hookers about. May be a struggle for them all to get gametime (though some might play a bit in the backrow).

https://www.theoffsideline.com/glasgow- ... 26-season/

7 hookers signed up. 4 back 3 players plus Dobie, could lose Rowe, Steyn and Dobie to Scotland half the season.

Sorry this is an SRU shambles. No head coach would end up in a mess like this

You're right re the bizarre shape of the squad, though the precise numbers could be massaged slightly (Watson is probably more ready for starts on the wing than Roberts is at hooker).

I do have a bit more sympathy for the SRU than you though. Squad shape and player development is very tough with only two teams (and very limited funds). If they think Tuipulotu is a real prospect but might not get a proper chance at the Waratahs or might plump for Australia if he does, I can see the temptation, but equally it is a nonsense how many young hookers there will be sharing very limited gametime. Same goes, to a slightly lesser extent, at Edinburgh. Harrison is too old to be firmly third choice at club level, and they have a couple behind him who could do with games soon.

Was about to say they will need a lot more A games this season, but then they might not have enough wingers

[septic 9]

The youngest Tuipulotu has signed for Glasgow. Sione has suggested he's the best of the lot, but you always here stuff like that from older brothers.

A lot of young hookers about. May be a struggle for them all to get gametime (though some might play a bit in the backrow).

https://www.theoffsideline.com/glasgow- ... 26-season/

7 hookers signed up. 4 back 3 players plus Dobie, could lose Rowe, Steyn and Dobie to Scotland half the season.

Sorry this is an SRU shambles. No head coach would end up in a mess like this

You're right re the bizarre shape of the squad, though the precise numbers could be massaged slightly (Watson is probably more ready for starts on the wing than Roberts is at hooker).

I do have a bit more sympathy for the SRU than you though. Squad shape and player development is very tough with only two teams (and very limited funds). If they think Tuipulotu is a real prospect but might not get a proper chance at the Waratahs or might plump for Australia if he does, I can see the temptation, but equally it is a nonsense how many young hookers there will be sharing very limited gametime. Same goes, to a slightly lesser extent, at Edinburgh. Harrison is too old to be firmly third choice at club level, and they have a couple behind him who could do with games soon.

Was about to say they will need a lot more A games this season, but then they might not have enough wingers

squad development is difficult FOR the 2 pro teams. This is very different from his brother who came into a position which was not knee deep in young players who looked like they can step up.
Roberts looks great, but (remember he is not 19 until later this week) and still in the academy. Stephens is 20 this month, has started for us and was MoM Leinster. Plus Hiddlestone. Warriors won't go into bigger games with 2 kids at hooker so its really difficult to see how these young guys can develop. Blocking player development is now the SRU plan
A wider view is that Glasgow have limited budget (frozen but good few players have earned increases). 7 hookers, even for a season is not money sensibly spent
If I were one of them I'd be looking to leave. Smith has created a great environment at Glasgow, SRU as usual doing its best to ruin it