Edinburgh 2024/25

[Cameo]

Freddy Douglas injured after 20 mins. He tried to play on so hopefully not too bad.

Liam McConnell on in his place. Another one people have high hopes for.

[Cameo]

7 all at half time. Not bad considering. Anyone watching it?

[BaldiePete]

I was watching it and trying to watch Bath v La Rochelle at the same time. Edinburgh better than I expected and it was good to see some youngsters being blooded and for Shiel to get some game time. Considering the team selected and that we had 2 yellows, a BP loss is a decent result. I think the full team could have won it though.

[Cameo]

Also, interesting quote from before the gane on Watson:

"For us, Hamish Watson has taken a bit of a back seat at the moment,” explained the South African. “It’s an opportunity for the youngsters to come through and he’s certainly not out of the equation as far as selection is concerned.”

A shame for him but they do need to start moving on. The backrow position has been a bit silly for a few years now.

[septic 9]

new deal for Duhan, 2 years

[BaldiePete]

It’s described as multi-year and also until the 2027 RWC at least so it must be 3 years. I’m conflicted about this, he must be on a big wage and since his return he hasn’t played as well for Edinburgh as he does for Scotland (possibly not his fault though). The money could have been invested in young players. Having said that, from a Scotland point of view it’s better that he’s based in Scotland rather than abroad so that his game time can be managed.

[septic 9]

It’s described as multi-year and also until the 2027 RWC at least so it must be 3 years. I’m conflicted about this, he must be on a big wage and since his return he hasn’t played as well for Edinburgh as he does for Scotland (possibly not his fault though). The money could have been invested in young players. Having said that, from a Scotland point of view it’s better that he’s based in Scotland rather than abroad so that his game time can be managed.

It's 2 extra years contract extension. He is quoted as being happy that Edinburgh will ne his home for the next 2 and a half years - ie rest of this season and 2 more. I suspect many contracts being signed by star players will ne slightly extended to finish after the RWC. Suitors won't want to pay salaries until player is available.
Contract until after RWC suggests Duhan will be off for a payday after it.

[BaldiePete]

He’ll be 32 then, if he can get a big payday to finish his career then that’s fair enough.

[septic 9]

He’ll be 32 then, if he can get a big payday to finish his career then that’s fair enough.

it is fair enough and I hope he gets one, would deserve it.

but if he loses a yard of pace his next contract might be a problem. His size isn't enough without the serious gas he currently has, especially with his defensive weakness and tendency to drift out of games

[BaldiePete]

Edinburgh pick what is probably close to their strongest team just now for the match against Bayonne.

Also Matt Currie has signed a two year contract extension.

W Goosen; D Graham, M Currie, M Tuipulotu, D van der Merwe; R Thompson, A Price; P Schoeman, E Ashman, P Hill, M Sykes, G Gilchrist ©, J Ritchie, L Crosbie, M Bradbury.
Subs: D Cherry, B Venter, J Sebastian, S Skinner, T Dodd, C Shiel, B Healy, J Lang.

Unavailable: Ben Vellacott (ankle), Freddy Douglas (ankle), Ben Muncaster (illness), Robin Hislop (calf), Mark Bennett (quad), Connor Boyle (knee), Harry Paterson (hamstring), Emiliano Boffelli (back).

[switchskier]

He’ll be 32 then, if he can get a big payday to finish his career then that’s fair enough.

it is fair enough and I hope he gets one, would deserve it.

but if he loses a yard of pace his next contract might be a problem. His size isn't enough without the serious gas he currently has, especially with his defensive weakness and tendency to drift out of games

More chance of keeping that yard in Scotland than anywhere else as you'd imagine his games are more closely managed. He's also got fewer miles on the clock than some. This looks suspiciously sensible by us: manage a key weapon until he's just past his prime then let someone else pay him.

[Cameo]

I can see why people are keen to move on some older heads from Edinburgh but this re-signing seems sensible to me too. He might not have sparkled since his return but I wouldn't classify him as a chronic underperformer. After all, he burst into the Scotland team off the back of Edinburgh form. It's in the pack that there is a bit of a clearout needed.

On paper, the team for tonight's gane looks great. They really need to be winning consistently when that team is out.

[Cameo]

Big win. 52-12 I think with Darcy Graham apparently immense. Anyone there? Any sense of how strong a Bayonne team it was?

[BaldiePete]

I decided not to go and it wasn’t on the Premier Sports broadcast channels that I get through Virgin, just streaming so I haven’t seen any of it except this Twitter clip of Darcy setting up a try for Tuipolotu.

[BaldiePete]

Highlights now available on EPCR website.

https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cup/ ... highlights

[BaldiePete]

Having watched that, yes Darcy was immense.

[BaldiePete]

Given the players and form this should be a comfortable win for Glasgow but I live in hope if not expectation. That’s a significant injury list that Glasgow have.

Edinburgh
15. Wes Goosen (40)
14. Darcy Graham (71)
13. Matt Currie (47)
12. Mosese Tuipulotu (8)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (99)
10. Ross Thompson (9)
9. Ali Price (24)
1. Pierre Schoeman (122)
2. Ewan Ashman (27)
3. D’arcy Rae (13)
4. Marshall Sykes (72)
5. Grant Gilchrist (212) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (121)
7. Luke Crosbie (104)
8. Magnus Bradbury (121)
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (98)
17. Boan Venter (75)
18. Javan Sebastian (18)
19. Sam Skinner (28)
20. Ben Muncaster (36)
21. Ben Vellacott (68)
22. Ben Healy (29)
23. James Lang (59)
Unavailable: Paul Hill (calf), Freddy Douglas (ankle), Lewis Wells (hip), Mark Bennett (quad), Connor Boyle (knee), Harry Paterson (hamstring), Emiliano Boffelli (back)


Glasgow Warriors
K Rowe; S Cancelliere, H Jones, S Tuipulotu, K Steyn ©; T Jordan, G Horne; J Bhatti, J Matthews, Z Fagerson, G Brown, S Cummings, A Miller, M Fagerson, J Mann. Subs: G Hiddleston, R Sutherland, P Schickerling, A Samuel, G Stewart, A Fraser, J Dobie, D Weir.

Unavailable for selection: Rory Darge (head), Jack Dempsey (shoulder), Euan Ferrie (foot), Adam Hastings (face), Nathan McBeth (calf), Josh McKay (thigh), JP du Preez (knee), Jare Oguntibeju (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Henco Venter (head), Murphy Walker (neck), Max Williamson (hand).

[septic 9]

Given the players and form this should be a comfortable win for Glasgow but I live in hope if not expectation. That’s a significant injury list that Glasgow have.

Edinburgh
15. Wes Goosen (40)
14. Darcy Graham (71)
13. Matt Currie (47)
12. Mosese Tuipulotu (8)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (99)
10. Ross Thompson (9)
9. Ali Price (24)
1. Pierre Schoeman (122)
2. Ewan Ashman (27)
3. D’arcy Rae (13)
4. Marshall Sykes (72)
5. Grant Gilchrist (212) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (121)
7. Luke Crosbie (104)
8. Magnus Bradbury (121)
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (98)
17. Boan Venter (75)
18. Javan Sebastian (18)
19. Sam Skinner (28)
20. Ben Muncaster (36)
21. Ben Vellacott (68)
22. Ben Healy (29)
23. James Lang (59)
Unavailable: Paul Hill (calf), Freddy Douglas (ankle), Lewis Wells (hip), Mark Bennett (quad), Connor Boyle (knee), Harry Paterson (hamstring), Emiliano Boffelli (back)


Glasgow Warriors
K Rowe; S Cancelliere, H Jones, S Tuipulotu, K Steyn ©; T Jordan, G Horne; J Bhatti, J Matthews, Z Fagerson, G Brown, S Cummings, A Miller, M Fagerson, J Mann. Subs: G Hiddleston, R Sutherland, P Schickerling, A Samuel, G Stewart, A Fraser, J Dobie, D Weir.

Unavailable for selection: Rory Darge (head), Jack Dempsey (shoulder), Euan Ferrie (foot), Adam Hastings (face), Nathan McBeth (calf), Josh McKay (thigh), JP du Preez (knee), Jare Oguntibeju (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Henco Venter (head), Murphy Walker (neck), Max Williamson (hand).

Warriors are missing 8 locks or back rows, every one of who has a strong claim to be in any match day squad. A just back from injury makeshift 4/6 starting at lock, and one hooker staring with 3 on the bench. Big opportunity for Edinburgh, if their pack can dominate and get some decent ball to the bet half back pair they have fielded for many a season