The Glasgow Carpet Burns and Cary Grant Appreciation Thread

[ARM]

Well that was entertaining all round.

I’m on board the McDowall hype train..

[Big D]

That's a really young looking centre partnership but exciting to see what they can do. Wouldn't have happened if Dunbar hadn't gone to Newcastle?

A bit worrying that Nairn is immediately behind Steyn. And where are Masanga and Tagivne?

Not that worried at Steyn over Nairn.

Steyn been with the 7s and Rennie may not have had a chance to look at him before.

Certainly making Rennie notice him since has come on.

Took his tries well. A little caught out by a kick for one of their tries maybe.

Steyn looked decent too to be fair.

[Big D]

Well that was entertaining all round.

I’m on board the McDowall hype train..

What took you so long

[OptimisticJock]

Hogg is on the PRO14 Hour at 2100 tonight for anyone interested.

[Cameo]

Team for Zebre. G Horne out again with the shoulder issue! Steyn at 13 with Nairn on the wing and Kelly dropped to the bench. Pretty powerful backline

1. Oli Kebble (26)
2. George Turner (33)
3. Zander Fagerson (73)
4. Tim Swinson (124)
5. Scott Cummings (51)
6. Rob Harley (204)
7. Chris Fusaro (159) CAPTAIN
8. Matt Fagerson (40)

9. Nick Frisby (11)
10. Adam Hastings (24)
11. Rory Hughes (42)
12. Stafford McDowall (10)
13. Kyle Steyn (2)
14. Robbie Nairn (5)
15. Ruaridh Jackson (149)

Replacements

16. Grant Stewart (18)
17. Alex Allan (87)
18. D’Arcy Rae (58)
19. Bruce Flockhart (1)
20. Adam Ashe (68)
21. Niko Matawalu (109)
22. Brandon Thomson (19)
23. Paddy Kelly (4)

Unavailable players: Siua Halalnukonuka (head), George Horne (shoulder), Callum Gibbins (ankle/knee), Stuart Hogg (shoulder), Huw Jones (knee), Lee Jones (knee), Lelia Masaga (illness), Matt Smith (shoulder), DTH van der Merwe (shoulder), Ryan Wilson (knee).

Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Nick Grigg, Pete Horne, Sam Johnson, Ali Price, Tommy Seymour (all Scotland). Tevita Tameilau (USA).

[ARM]

Decent side.

Interesting to see how elder fagerson gets on in the scrum. For all his ability in the loose he has to consistenly step up that side of his game. For me, Berghan remains a safer bet in Test rugby, although his all-round game is probably weaker.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Decent side.

Interesting to see how elder fagerson gets on in the scrum. For all his ability in the loose he has to consistenly step up that side of his game. For me, Berghan remains a safer bet in Test rugby, although his all-round game is probably weaker.

I wonder if he started to believe his own hype after his breakthrough season when he really was f*cking superb. Progress has certainly been pretty static for the last couple of years but he has only just turned 23. He has a whole bunch of accolades - youngest Glasgow player to do xyz, young player of the season, etc... all in a position where players typically mature the latest.

[switchskier]

Decent side.

Interesting to see how elder fagerson gets on in the scrum. For all his ability in the loose he has to consistenly step up that side of his game. For me, Berghan remains a safer bet in Test rugby, although his all-round game is probably weaker.

I wonder if he started to believe his own hype after his breakthrough season when he really was f*cking superb. Progress has certainly been pretty static for the last couple of years but he has only just turned 23. He has a whole bunch of accolades - youngest Glasgow player to do xyz, young player of the season, etc... all in a position where players typically mature the latest.

Any reason for suggesting this? Or is it just more likely that he's a young player who has suffered injuries and of whom there is now more tape for opponents to analyse?

[Cameo]

Just watching this. Glasgow's second team are so good at making lives easy for themselves. When they're on top they just score so quickly. Real difference with Edinburgh

[Cameo]

Solid sin although not as dominant as sometimes with some frustrating errors. Cheetah's have probably improved too. M Fagerson was very good and Steyn is showing himself to be a good find.

Scrums were funny. Very dominant at times but still gave away a few penalties.

Biggest decision for next weekend is the midfield. Think I'd go Hastings, Johnson, Grigg but would be tempted to try to shoehorn McDowall into 13

[whatisthejava]

Got to have Johnson and Grigg just so the sarries boys wonder what if it happens again

[sharvey44]

Hoggy's back for the game tomorrow....

Stuart Hogg will start at full-back for Glasgow Warriors against Saracens in tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final at Allianz Park.

The 26-year-old plays for the first time since injuring his shoulder in Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations game against Ireland.

Kyle Steyn scored his first try for the club in last weekend’s victory over the Cheetahs at Scotstoun. He switches from centre to wing this Saturday with Rory Hughes completing the back-three.

Sam Johnson returns from international duty to start at inside centre, Stafford McDowall moves to thirteen having also got on the scoresheet against the Cheetahs.

Ali Price is brought back into the starting XV and combines with Adam Hastings in the half-backs.

It is an unhanged pack from last Saturday’s game at Scotstoun.

George Horne has returned from injury to be selected among the replacements and Jonny Gray will also look to make an impact off the bench.

Meanwhile, following consultation with a specialist, George Turner has been stepped down from playing duties for the remainder of the season having sustained consecutive concussions.

The Hooker will continue to work with the club’s medical team and strength and conditioning coaches to prepare himself for a return to action.

In other injury news, Nick Grigg has successfully undergone surgery at BMI Ross Hall on an ankle injury sustained playing for the national side. The centre is expected to be out of action for up to eight weeks.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie said: “It’s a massive weekend and exactly the kind of game we want to be competing in.

“We know Saracens well having played them twice already this season. We tested them for big chunks of those games and know that if we play at our best for 80 minutes we have the firepower to make it to the semi-finals.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup Quarter Final, Allianz Park, Saturday 30 March, kick-off 3.15pm, live on BT Sport 3. You can follow the game on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors. Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:

1. Oli Kebble (28)
2. Fraser Brown (84)
3. Zander Fagerson (75)
4. Tim Swinson (126)
5. Scott Cummings (53)
6. Rob Harley (206)
7. Callum Gibbins (C) (31)
8. Matt Fagerson (42)

9. Ali Price (71)
10. Adam Hastings (26)
11. Rory Hughes (44)
12. Sam Johnson (46)
13. Stafford McDowall (12)
14. Kyle Steyn (4)
15. Stuart Hogg (115)

Replacements

16. Kevin Bryce (24)
17. Jamie Bhatti (41)
18. Siua Halanukonuka (28)
19. Jonny Gray (98)
20. Chris Fusaro (161)
21. George Horne (36)
22. Pete Horne (153)
23. Niko Matawalu (111)

Unavailable players: Bruce Flockhart (back), Nick Grigg (ankle), Huw Jones (knee), Lee Jones (knee) Kiran McDonald (back), D’Arcy Rae (ankle), Tommy Seymour (ribs), Matt Smith (shoulder), George Turner (head), DTH van der Merwe (shoulder) and Ryan Wilson (knee).

[Mikey Brown]

Very interesting.

[switchskier]

They certainly went for size in that backline and surprised to see Gray benching. Not sure that's the way to beat Sarries but looking forward to it anyways.

[switchskier]

Sarries team is also up. Ijote in the second row is a big call and Judge to start are big calls. Anyone know who Whiteley is?

Goode; Maitland, Lozowski, Barritt (c), Williams; Farrell, Spencer; Barrington, George, Judge, Skelton, Kruis, Itoje, Wray, Vunipola

Replacements: Woolstencroft, Lamositele, Koch, Isiekwe, Burger, Whiteley, Tompkins, Strettle

[Mikey Brown]

Itoje and Wray isn’t the most dynamic flanker pairing but it wouldn’t surprise me if they wanted to free Itoje up to run around being as niggly as he possibly can. Shutting him down, or not getting wound up by him, might well be key.

The difference in experience in the backline is pretty massive. Hogg has a habit of returning from injury with a bang but it’s a lot to expect with him coming from an injury in a game like this and having to be the most senior player in the backs.

The centre clash should be great.

[switchskier]

Good Glasgow contingent at the game, rather putting the Sarries fans to shame. Lots of frustration here that Itoje apparently doesn't have to roll away from the tackle.

[Mikey Brown]

Disappointing the way this has slipped so far away, but far too many dumb errors.

I don't really get this thing of Hogg taking restarts. Is Hastings shit at it?

[Cameo]

Disappointing the way this has slipped so far away, but far too many dumb errors.

I don't really get this thing of Hogg taking restarts. Is Hastings shit at it?

I think it is that Higg is normally good at it but not paying off today.

Tough day all round. Would love to be às consistently good as sarries. Once they get into the 22 they always seem to score

[switchskier]

So after a bit if reflection I think that what we saw yesterday was the result of the hollowing out of talent at Glasgow over the past few seasons. They still looked capable of scoring some great tries but they looked like a team without cohesion or understanding in defence. Good players in need of that one bit of star quality that lifts the overall team.

Johson and McDowell doesn't currently work as a centre pairing. Both clearly want to play 12 and run the same lines, with McDowell lining up on the inside more often than not. He also struggled to step up to the intensity, proving that Townsend was right not to promote him to international level just yet. With Horne on the bench there wasnt much in the way of other options, especially with the wings performing so badly.

The Glasgow wings were particularly poor. Steyn looked unsure of his positioning and was barely involved. He's a centre and possibly a limited one at that. Hughes was relentlessly targeted under the high ball for a reason and looked lumbering on the ground. Upgrades are needed, Matawalu looked so much more involved and dangerous when he came on.

It was also clear that Hogg was rushed back to provide some creativity as Hastings first instinct is to show the pass and attack the shoulder and with that centre pairing the ball was not often getting wide effectively. However he looked like a player rushed back and tried too much.

Finally if Glasgow are going to play that way then the backrow needs to generate some turnover ball. The backrow really failed to slow Sarries ball all day, just blasted out of the rucks most of the time. What worked better was when they lined up a big hit (there was a great one on Ijote early on) but they lack a tone setting player that can get out and do that. Again they looked like a bunch of honest players who lacked that bit of star quality to lead by example.

Good travelling support that had a good time regardless of the result. Allianz Park is a bit in the middle of nowhere though. Doesn't lend itself to a match day experience. What was good was putting the ladies rugby on after as it helped with the crowds leaving and gave a bit of profile. Should be done more often.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Good point, SS. Can't think of many things that will empty a stadium quite so fast as ladies' rugby.

On your other points, you have real stars in the pack and the backs but if Munster's experience is anything to go by (And I'd argue that if anything your talent is as good if not better than ours) the demands of this competition are such that progress beyond the quarter finals is utterly dependent on having an experienced and quality stand off - and yours followed the cheque-book to Paris.

[switchskier]

Good point, SS. Can't think of many things that will empty a stadium quite so fast as ladies' rugby.

On your other points, you have real stars in the pack and the backs but if Munster's experience is anything to go by (And I'd argue that if anything your talent is as good if not better than ours) the demands of this competition are such that progress beyond the quarter finals is utterly dependent on having an experienced and quality stand off - and yours followed the cheque-book to Paris.

Out of interest who do you think that the stars in the pack are? Faegerson could be but has stalled a bit his year, Cummings has huge potential but it's still just potential and Gray is definitely struggling a bit.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

I’ve always thought Swinson was a good deal better than he gets credit for and if we’re playing and his names on the sheet I’d be worried. I like Fagerson (Z) and I like the look of the Cummings lad. Watching Racing clawing back into the game in Paris you are missing the gibbon-armed knacker Naka.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

I suppose you don’t have a Tadhg Beirne, a CJ or a POM - so maybe we are a bit better off.

[Big D]

The Glasgow pack are soft. Starting with that second row is asking for trouble in a game like yesterday.

The recruitment at Glasgow has been often poor and like Edinburgh spend their budget poorly. Glasgow need forwards and Edinburgh half backs.

They have enough to walk through a league campaign but when push comes to shove in big games they are often found wanting.