1872 Cup Champions

[OptimisticJock]

Great pass from Kinghorn

[Mikey Brown]

What the actual fuck? So if someone pushes you off a tackle, you don't wrap your arms, it makes it a no arms tackle?

[Mikey Brown]

Haha. Ref comes to his senses. "Just rugby general play"

[switchskier]

Gilchrist resigns for another three years. Think that's a good move for him as he's forced his way back into the Scotland team and will be looked after here given his injury record.

Nice to finally have some signing news.

[Cameo]

In terms of the pro12 season, Edinburgh are now back in the mix for a playoff spot. They have a run of 5/6 very winnable games now and then a tough last couple. If they can win these and also pick up some bonus points they should be right up there in the running for second spot.

Still think they need to sort out their backs in attack though. On a related note is there any updatr on Scott or Bennett?

Or Carmichael? He is in danger of missing a whole season with concusion. That must lead to a worry over his future

[General Zod]

Gilchrist resigns for another three years. Think that's a good move for him as he's forced his way back into the Scotland team and will be looked after here given his injury record.

Nice to finally have some signing news.

I always panic when I see “resign” instead of “re-signs”! Not that either is definitively correct, it’s just how I read the words. It is good news anyway - think he’s making it difficult for JG to be an automatic first choice if all our options, including skinner, are fit.

[General Zod]

In terms of the pro12 season, Edinburgh are now back in the mix for a playoff spot. They have a run of 5/6 very winnable games now and then a tough last couple. If they can win these and also pick up some bonus points they should be right up there in the running for second spot.

Still think they need to sort out their backs in attack though. On a related note is there any updatr on Scott or Bennett?

Or Carmichael? He is in danger of missing a whole season with concusion. That must lead to a worry over his future

Somebody mentioned Scott by mid-jan on another thread. Dunno about Bennett.

How do I multi-quote?!

[OptimisticJock]

Bennett was 6 nations time iirc.

Is Scott still out with concussion or did I just make that up?

[Mikey Brown]

I thought both Scott and Carmichael were concussion, which would be pretty worrying. My hope would be that they’re taking whatever measures they did with Russell who appears to have had no recurring issues after a pretty heavy knock to the head.

Bennet was shoulder or knee again I thought?

It’s amazing Edinburgh don’t feel any need to give any updates.

[Cameo]

I thought both Scott and Carmichael were concussion, which would be pretty worrying. My hope would be that they’re taking whatever measures they did with Russell who appears to have had no recurring issues after a pretty heavy knock to the head.

Bennet was shoulder or knee again I thought?

It’s amazing Edinburgh don’t feel any need to give any updates.

Yeah, concussion for those two and knee for Bennett. Barclay can't be too far off now either. At the time, people were talking about both him and Bennett as "not til next year at least". Next year has now crept up on us

[Tobylerone]

Yeah, concussion for those two and knee for Bennett. Barclay can't be too far off now either. At the time, people were talking about both him and Bennett as "not til next year at least". Next year has now crept up on us

Bennett had recovered from ACl surgery following the Twickers debacle. Serious hamstring injury a short time after return. As mentioned, no recent news of progress.

Barclay? keep fingers crossed, Achilles repairs seem to be rather fragile.

[Big D]

Apparently Duhan VdM has put up the most of these stats of any Pro14 player in 2018:

Tries (14)
Metres made (1301)
Breaks (32)
Defenders beaten (96)

Loads of potential there.

[Cameo]

Apparently Duhan VdM has put up the most of these stats of any Pro14 player in 2018:

Tries (14)
Metres made (1301)
Breaks (32)
Defenders beaten (96)

Loads of potential there.

He'll have been helped by playing more games than most internationals but he really has been a revelation. Even top wingers struggle to deal with his strength and once he gets going he is as quick as anyone.

[Big D]

Apparently Duhan VdM has put up the most of these stats of any Pro14 player in 2018:

Tries (14)
Metres made (1301)
Breaks (32)
Defenders beaten (96)

Loads of potential there.

He'll have been helped by playing more games than most internationals but he really has been a revelation. Even top wingers struggle to deal with his strength and once he gets going he is as quick as anyone.

That is true. Although of his 25 games (according to pro14 site), I am not sure how many were in 2017.

He is still pretty raw but when the right time comes that Scotland back line we could use him in so many different ways that would free up space for Jones, Hogg and co.

He will need to be involved in the 2020 AI's or play a 7s then.

[Mikey Brown]

I’m pretty excited about him if he keeps developing and wants to represent Scotland. Hadn’t realised how rapid he is at top speed until the other day.

I hate to frame the question like this, but does he use his size better than Visser? Visser was scoring bucketloads for Edinburgh and Scotland needed a big, powerful winger but he was always so limp in contact. VDM looks a different sort altogether but I haven’t really seen that much of him.

[Big D]

I’m pretty excited about him if he keeps developing and wants to represent Scotland. Hadn’t realised how rapid he is at top speed until the other day.

I hate to frame the question like this, but does he use his size better than Visser? Visser was scoring bucketloads for Edinburgh and Scotland needed a big, powerful winger but he was always so limp in contact. VDM looks a different sort altogether but I haven’t really seen that much of him.

He is very strong in contact, regularly bumps off the 1st man. In defence he is getting better too. Noticed he is getting better defensively too, held up the Weeg player a few times on Saturday.

[AL.]

I’m pretty excited about him if he keeps developing and wants to represent Scotland. Hadn’t realised how rapid he is at top speed until the other day.

I hate to frame the question like this, but does he use his size better than Visser? Visser was scoring bucketloads for Edinburgh and Scotland needed a big, powerful winger but he was always so limp in contact. VDM looks a different sort altogether but I haven’t really seen that much of him.

HNY one and all....

Talking of VDM and Visser, I was never big back in the day 5'11.5 and 15.5st in my prime, but I would have set about Visser no bother (if I could catch/get near him mind you!), to me VDM is a different proposition altogether, he is a machine when he gets up to speed and he looks like he might be quite jaggy if he hit you.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I’m pretty excited about him if he keeps developing and wants to represent Scotland. Hadn’t realised how rapid he is at top speed until the other day.

I hate to frame the question like this, but does he use his size better than Visser? Visser was scoring bucketloads for Edinburgh and Scotland needed a big, powerful winger but he was always so limp in contact. VDM looks a different sort altogether but I haven’t really seen that much of him.

He's a totally different player. Visser started as the lanky, skinny winger that used his pace to his advantage. Running at the gaps at speed meant his size would often see him burst through half tackles. He bulked up throughout his career but never looked comfortable using his size as his first port-of-call in contact situations.

Duhan looks to be comfortable utilising both naturally. I'd say he's more like the early Sean Lamont & the late Sean Lamont smushed into one player... but far more raw.

Lots of potential IMO.

[Mikey Brown]

I'll take that.

[AL.]

Me too....

Bit off topic if anyone can help, one of my colleagues needs a piper for his wedding this year, any recommendations (Inverurie area)?

[switchskier]

Teams out for the Kings game. Evidently using a game against the weakest team in the league to try some youngsters with Taylor and Cherry starting and Miller and Shiels on the bench. I'm a bit surprised to see Mata starting though.

Edinburgh: Fife, Graham, Taylor, Socino, Van der Merwe, Hickey, Fowles, Sutherland, Cherry, Berghan, McKenzie, Hunter-Hill, Ritchie, Crosbie, Mata

Replacements: Ford, Schoeman, Ceccarelli, Toolis, Miller, Shiel, Van der Walt, Johnstone

Southern Kings: Tshakweni, Van Rooyen, Scholtz, Greeff, Astle, Velleman, Lerm, Burger, Ungerer, Du Toit, Kruger, H.Klaasen, Makase, Penxe, Banda

Replacements: Willemse, Oosthuizen, Pupuma, Mtyanda, Van Schalkwyk, Pretorious, B.Klaasen, Dukisa

[OptimisticJock]

In fairness mata has a few weeks off coming up.

Keen to see what Taylor has to offer, hopefully more than socino. Same goes for Shiels

[OptimisticJock]

Some great performances especially from the youngsters. Taylor solid if unflashy unlike Graham and shiel when he came on, which begs the question why he's not played sooner? Good to see an effective and young back row, bodes well.

[Big D]

Shiel apparently has been given S+C targets to meet much like Graham last season.

Taylor looks decent.

Who'd have thought Edinburgh would have the two form wingers in Scotland. Graham should be in the 6N squad on merit.

[OptimisticJock]

Ok fair enough. Showed, I'm sure he tackled 2 people at one point, both successfully.

Agreed on Graham. People have used his size as an excuse before but he's solid as well as rapid.