Busy Bees at the Hive - Edinburgh 23/24

[BaldiePete]

The li eout for both teams is a worry given what happened at the World Cup. Don't have any easy answers though.

Glad to see Currie playing well. Someone on her said a while back that they werent sure he had the pace for the next level. Anyone care to comment if that's true? I've not seen enpugh of him in space to have a view.

I wondered this too. Lovely try and didn't look slow there, but it's Healy's pass that is the real thing of beauty for me.

Now I've seen the highlights I understand "classic VDM try" is running sideways to create a 2 on 1 and then bumping the last defender anyway. Can't disagree really.

With anyone else you’d say he should have passed when he had the 2 on 1, but once he was up to speed and heading for the line you knew he wasn’t going to pass and was odds on to score the try. Edinburgh (and Scotland) need to create more situations where he’s not getting the ball standing still right on the touch line but getting it in space.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah that’s a thing that’s bothered me for ages. We virtually never getting him actually running on to the ball.

[BaldiePete]

Teams are out for the 1872 at Murrayfield tomorrow.

Graham gets his first start for Edinburgh this season. That’s a strong Edinburgh side, it’s interesting to see that Currie is now favoured over Bennett and Price over Vellacott. Also, Boffelli returning on the bench is great to see. Glasgow are more affected by injuries than Edinburgh, they have Jones playing on the wing. Tasty matchups - Price v Horne and Watson v Darge. The latter is definitely a fight for the Scotland open side berth, Watson has been good since he came back from his injury but Darge is the incumbent.

I’ve no idea how this will go. Glasgow have generally been better than Edinburgh this season, with Edinburgh struggling to get their wins, mostly courtesy of Healy. I’m inclined to think Glasgow will win their home game but it’ll be tight. Very happy if I’m wrong though.


Edinburgh : W Goosen; D Graham, M Currie, J Lang, D van der Merwe; B Healy, A Price; P Schoeman, E Ashman, W Nel, G Young, G Gilchrist ©, J Ritchie, H Watson, V Mata. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, D Rae, M Sykes, L Crosbie, B Vellacott, M Bennett, E Boffelli.

Unavailable: Luan de Bruin (back), Jake Henry (knee), Jamie Hodgson (ankle), Cam Neild (knee), Harry Paterson (concussion), Javan Sebastian (knee), Scott Steele (hip), Tim Swiel (concussion).

Glasgow : J McKay; H Jones, S Tuipulotu©, S McDowall, K Rowe; R Thompson, G Horne; J Bhatti, G Turner, Z Fagerson, S Cummings, R Gray, A Miller, R Darge, S Vailanu. Substitutes: J Matthews, N McBeth, O Kebble, G Peterson, M Williamson, H Venter, B Afshar, T Jordan.

Unavailable : Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Jack Dempsey (face), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Matt Fagerson (face), Sintu Manjezi (foot), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Lucio Sordoni (shoulder), Kyle Steyn (ankle), Murphy Walker (knee).

[Mikey Brown]

McKay must have made some serious demand to only play 15 to have Smith and Jones put on the wing ahead of him.

[switchskier]

Boyles absence from the first 23 continues to mystify me, but I also don't know how to fit him in. Watson has been playing well but Crosbie and Boyle have been our best players. Does he not train well or something?

Great that Graham is back. Nice time to knock off rust before 6N.

Thought that Patterson had left?

[BaldiePete]

That was a very poor display from Edinburgh. I hoped they might somehow hang on to the lead they had but Gilchrist’s yellow put paid to that. Watson showed up well in the loose but overall Darge was superior. Glasgow’s midfield was way better than Edinburgh’s whose attack seems stodgy when they get the ball to the backs. In reality a well deserved win for Glasgow against an Edinburgh team that lacked any bite.

[septic 9]

That was a very poor display from Edinburgh. I hoped they might somehow hang on to the lead they had but Gilchrist’s yellow put paid to that. Watson showed up well in the loose but overall Darge was superior. Glasgow’s midfield was way better than Edinburgh’s whose attack seems stodgy when they get the ball to the backs. In reality a well deserved win for Glasgow against an Edinburgh team that lacked any bite.

that's a pretty good summary. Edinburgh as ever much less than the sum of their parts. And really let down by senior players Gilchrist and Richie, pen machines both and too dumb to listen to warnings

[BaldiePete]

Darcy Graham has signed a new three year contract with Edinburgh which is excellent business by the Edinburgh management. As an Edinburgh supporter that makes me very happy, although as a Scotland supporter, to be honest I think he could have developed further if he moved away.

[BaldiePete]

DVDM has signed a two year deal with Edinburgh. That should allow plenty of time to work out how to get the ball to him when he’s running on to it rather than standing still.

[BaldiePete]

Price (correctly) keeps his place in the starting 15. Watson dropped to bench with Ritchie moved over to openside. I can see how Watson could be a very effective substitute and with two starting flankers who can both play either side of the scrum it’s less of a risk having a specialist openside as the only back row replacement. Boffelli still only makes the bench which is fair given that Goosen has been playing very well. I live in dread of an injury to Healy though. With Glasgow playing Gray and Cummings I suspect the lineout isn’t going to go well though.


W Goosen; D Graham, M Bennett, M Currie, D van der Merwe; B Healy, A Price; P Schoeman, E Ashman, W Nel, G Young, G Gilchrist ©, L Crosbie, J Ritchie, V Mata. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, D Rae, M Sykes, H Watson, B Vellacott, C Scott, E Boffelli.

Unavailable: Luan de Bruin (back), Jake Henry (knee), Jamie Hodgson (ankle), James Lang (shoulder), Ben Muncaster (foot), Harry Paterson (concussion), Javan Sebastian (knee), Scott Steele (hip), Nathan Sweeney (hamstring), Tim Swiel (concussion).

[BaldiePete]

A good win, I thought Edinburgh were definitely better on the day, despite a few brain-farts (at the lineout AGAIN). Some very harum-scarum moments, especially in the first half which made it exciting if not particularly skilful. I thought Glasgow’s defence was going to keep Edinburgh out but they found a way. It was particularly good to see DVDM get some dynamic ball, his try showed what can happen when he gets it.

[Mikey Brown]

Ha. I don't think anyone ever doubted his ability to run in a straight line.

It was a cool moment though. His double-act with Darcy is great.

[BaldiePete]

Ha. I don't think anyone ever doubted his ability to run in a straight line.

It was a cool moment though. His double-act with Darcy is great.

The problem has been getting the ball to him when he has the opportunity to run in a straight line. Too often he has been cutting inside towards the defence.

[Big D]

Ha. I don't think anyone ever doubted his ability to run in a straight line.

It was a cool moment though. His double-act with Darcy is great.

He used the ball reasonably well tonight to be fair.

[switchskier]

Watched the game now and thought that we were probably the better team overall but left some points out there. We do a lot of nice things but seem to get tight when we get into scoring positions. Can't help but wonder if there's a ceiling with Healy, without an elite lock/prop.

Glasgow looked a bit short of ideas beyond the maul too. But they have more excuses with injury. McDowell is looking increasingly good.

[BaldiePete]

Mata confirmed as moving to Bristol next season. No complaints from me. He’s been a fantastic player for Edinburgh and at 32 we’d be looking to replace him soon anyway.

https://www.theoffsideline.com/viliame- ... of-season/

[Big D]

The right decision for both parties. Mata will rightfully want a last pay day and Edinburgh rightfully won't stump up another big money contract for him after giving him one at his last renewal. Especially as he was late to pro rugby.

This is exactly the right model for non Scotland qualified players. Bring them in, pay them well and get a really good few years from them and then let them get that last payday in their 30s elsewhere.

Both parties have been excellent for each other and there is nothing wring with shaking hands and going their separate ways

[Mikey Brown]

Odd one for Bradbury though.

[septic 9]

The right decision for both parties. Mata will rightfully want a last pay day and Edinburgh rightfully won't stump up another big money contract for him after giving him one at his last renewal. Especially as he was late to pro rugby.

This is exactly the right model for non Scotland qualified players. Bring them in, pay them well and get a really good few years from them and then let them get that last payday in their 30s elsewhere.

Both parties have been excellent for each other and there is nothing wring with shaking hands and going their separate ways

on the "last payday" - I wonder. Bristol have been spent up to the cap for years (many think over it. They still have several big names/earners and their marquis player is Luatua. The only way Mata gets loads more is if Edinburgh offered him a fraction of his current salary (rumoured to be the highest ever paid in Scotland)

I think its more than someone has to go to pay for those new Graham and Van der Merwe contracts

[Big D]

The right decision for both parties. Mata will rightfully want a last pay day and Edinburgh rightfully won't stump up another big money contract for him after giving him one at his last renewal. Especially as he was late to pro rugby.

This is exactly the right model for non Scotland qualified players. Bring them in, pay them well and get a really good few years from them and then let them get that last payday in their 30s elsewhere.

Both parties have been excellent for each other and there is nothing wring with shaking hands and going their separate ways

on the "last payday" - I wonder. Bristol have been spent up to the cap for years (many think over it. They still have several big names/earners and their marquis player is Luatua. The only way Mata gets loads more is if Edinburgh offered him a fraction of his current salary (rumoured to be the highest ever paid in Scotland)

I think its more than someone has to go to pay for those new Graham and Van der Merwe contracts

Would think their MP is more likely to be Sinckler than Luatua. Sinckler is OOC this summer. With the salary cap increasing by 1.4m (I haven't seen this voted down yet), Bristol will have flexibility to give Mata a decent payday, even if it ends up "only" the same wage as he was on at Edinburgh. But as he won't have been short of suitors and he's known to love it in Edinburgh I'd anticipate he's getting a raise to move.

Edinburgh's wage budget will be going through a transition, Kinghorn gone, Nel will be on reducing contracts (if he resigns again), Gilchrist should be on less than he was given his age and with Mata going now the higher former higher earners will be on reduced deals or out the door.

[Big D]

Bristol Live suggesting Mata will be on 400k at Bristol. Fair play to him for securing that at 32!

[BaldiePete]

Edinburgh v Gloucester in the Diddy Cup on Saturday. Healy and Hastings are both playing which could be tasty in the contest to be 2nd string to Finn in the 6N. Hastings hasn’t been playing that well (he made an absolutely appalling attempt at a pass against Bath last week which could have rescued a draw if he hadn’t thrown into the ground behind his player) so Healy must be favourite. Also, forgotten man Bennett against Harris. Neither will be first choice for Scotland again but there’s definitely a squad place up for grabs. DVDM is rested so Goosen is on the wing and Bofelli is back from injury at full back. In the forwards, Skinner is back just in time to come into 6N contention and back row injuries means Glen Young is on the blindside.

Edinburgh

E Boffelli; D Graham, M Bennett, M Currie, W Goosen; B Healy, A Price; P Schoeman, D Cherry, W Nel, S Skinner, G Gilchrist, G Young, H Watson, V Mata.
Replacements: E Ashman, R Hislop, A Williams, M Sykes, RT Dodd, B Vellacott, J Lang, H Paterson,.

Unavailable: Connor Boyle (neck), Luan de Bruin (back), Luke Crosbie (neck), Jamie Hodgson (ankle), Ben Muncaster (foot), Jamie Ritchie (jaw), Javan Sebastian (knee), Scott Steele (hip), Nathan Sweeney (hamstring), Duhan van der Merwe (rested).


Gloucester

Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonny May, Chris Harris, Seb Atkinson, Ollie Thorley, Adam Hastings, Caolan Englefield, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Seb Blake, Kirill Gotovtsev, Freddie Clarke, Matias Alemanno, Jack Clement, Lewis Ludlow, Zach Mercer

Replacements
George McGuigan, Harry Elrington, Fraser Balmain, Cam Jordan, Ruan Ackermann, Stephen Varney, Max Llewellyn, Lloyd Evans

[Mikey Brown]

Young to six ahead of Skinner (looks like they have hardly any flankers left) is an interesting shout. I rate Skinner but he never seems to quite demand a starting shirt for Scotland. Some of his best games were at 6 though.

I’m willing to forgive Hastings a fair bit of rust as he’s been injured (off and on) for such a long time now. He was never the most reliable to start with though. I’d consider Healy firmly ahead until Hastings shows some serious form.

Has Currie played much 12 or is that desperation? I’d guess not, with Lang on the bench, but thought he was an out and out 13.

[BaldiePete]

Currie has been playing both 12 and 13. Mostly it’s been that if Bennett is playing, Currie goes to 12, if not he plays 13.

[septic 9]

The right decision for both parties. Mata will rightfully want a last pay day and Edinburgh rightfully won't stump up another big money contract for him after giving him one at his last renewal. Especially as he was late to pro rugby.

This is exactly the right model for non Scotland qualified players. Bring them in, pay them well and get a really good few years from them and then let them get that last payday in their 30s elsewhere.

Both parties have been excellent for each other and there is nothing wring with shaking hands and going their separate ways

on the "last payday" - I wonder. Bristol have been spent up to the cap for years (many think over it. They still have several big names/earners and their marquis player is Luatua. The only way Mata gets loads more is if Edinburgh offered him a fraction of his current salary (rumoured to be the highest ever paid in Scotland)

I think its more than someone has to go to pay for those new Graham and Van der Merwe contracts

Would think their MP is more likely to be Sinckler than Luatua. Sinckler is OOC this summer. With the salary cap increasing by 1.4m (I haven't seen this voted down yet), Bristol will have flexibility to give Mata a decent payday, even if it ends up "only" the same wage as he was on at Edinburgh. But as he won't have been short of suitors and he's known to love it in Edinburgh I'd anticipate he's getting a raise to move.

Edinburgh's wage budget will be going through a transition, Kinghorn gone, Nel will be on reducing contracts (if he resigns again), Gilchrist should be on less than he was given his age and with Mata going now the higher former higher earners will be on reduced deals or out the door.

Luatua IS their marquis player (£600K). May be OOC end of season though. FWIW I don't think he has been VFM these last 2 seasons, whereas he definitely was earlier. But still have the horrible Genge and Sickler (though he also may be off)