London Scottish

[hp18]

Fenton and Matt Smith would be shouts. I've got high hopes for both but Smith has a real job to force his way in at 7 for GW.

[ARM]

Quite a climbdown by London Scottish when you read their statements and compare to previous rhetoric.

But then it really was a case of Hobsons choice.

SRU played their hand and ultimately we have arrived at a pretty positive outcome in the circumstances.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Excellent news. I was afraid we'd seen the stubborn SRU of old but glad they have both been able to come to an agreement again.

Are we sending less players then?

Sharvey could probably paint a decent picture as to what positions are urgent needs. Back row is certainly one. Scrum half is relatively well stocked.

[whatisthejava]

What a different SRU

Before the current lot I would have put my mortgage on the deal never being revived. Fair play to the SRU but well played

[hugh_woatmeigh]

What a different SRU

Before the current lot I would have put my mortgage on the deal never being revived. Fair play to the SRU but well played

My feeling exactly. They're far more competent than they used to be in the dark old days.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

What a different SRU

Before the current lot I would have put my mortgage on the deal never being revived. Fair play to the SRU but well played

My feeling exactly. They're far more competent than they used to be in the dark old days.

[Cameo]

What a different SRU

Before the current lot I would have put my mortgage on the deal never being revived. Fair play to the SRU but well played

My feeling exactly. They're far more competent than they used to be in the dark old days.

Fair play to them for not shooting their mouths off early. It must have been almost impossible resisting coming out with their side of the story to defend themselves but that could have entrenched things

[sharvey44]

The response from LS does sound a bit bended knee but I think its probably for the best that they just sucked it up. I didn't think any comment by LS in the media was even the slightest bit rude and was merely a statement of fact. I'd rather we have something in place with the SRU than try and save face. Hopefully it means that players like David Cherry and Robbie Fergusson are back in the frame to push on from this level and get rewarded by SRU exposure.

In regards to squad depth I think FR, 2nd Row and SH are all good. BR is a bit thin along with some utility backs needed. I'm not sure who is backup FH this year as I know Lydon is moving to FH rather than FB.

[Big D]

The response from LS does sound a bit bended knee but I think its probably for the best that they just sucked it up. I didn't think any comment by LS in the media was even the slightest bit rude and was merely a statement of fact. I'd rather we have something in place with the SRU than try and save face. Hopefully it means that players like David Cherry and Robbie Fergusson are back in the frame to push on from this level and get rewarded by SRU exposure.

In regards to squad depth I think FR, 2nd Row and SH are all good. BR is a bit thin along with some utility backs needed. I'm not sure who is backup FH this year as I know Lydon is moving to FH rather than FB.

Back row is probably an area that we have players available like Smith and Millar. Maybe Junior or Hughes from Glasgow? Holmes was released by Glasgow. Maybe Howarth and Galbraith? Would like to see them get gametime at Edinburgh but perhaps time with Lineen (even in a limited capacity) would be better than AS/Hodge.

[sharvey44]

I don't think this has been mentioned but to give an idea of how much this deal has changed from where it was a couple of months ago.

I had heard from multiple reliable sources before the deal initially collapsed that a certain experienced international winger, whose brother was also an international player was set to be one of the senior members of the 14.

[Big D]

I don't think this has been mentioned but to give an idea of how much this deal has changed from where it was a couple of months ago.

I had heard from multiple reliable sources before the deal initially collapsed that a certain experienced international winger, whose brother was also an international player was set to be one of the senior members of the 14.

So Lamont? I'd have been surprised he signed up to that. He is still part of international squads (albeit barely).

[hp18]

London Scottish and Scottish Rugby are pleased to announce that Scotland under-20 and Melrose Head Coach John Dalziel has been appointed as forwards coach for the 2016/17 season.

The Melrose stalwart – who represented Scottish from 1997-98 – won three BT Premiership titles and the BT Scottish Cup as a coach, and guided the age-grade side to impressive wins in the recent Six Nations against England and Italy before securing a joint best-ever finish in the 2016 World Rugby under-20 Championship (8th), including a first ever win over Australia.

Dalziel said: “I have been presented with a fantastic opportunity for me to challenge myself at this stage in my life and my coaching career.

It’s the start of a new chapter and I look forward to joining such an ambitious club at this exciting time.”

Dalziel joins Scottish Rugby Head of International Age-grade Rugby Sean Lineen (London Scottish Director of Rugby) in the latest development of the performance partnership between the governing body and the English Championship club.

The pair coached Scotland under-20 together for three seasons (2013-2015) before Dalziel took on the leading role in 2016, when Lineen was appointed Head of International Age-Grades, a role he retains along side his London duties.

The Lineen and Dalziel partnership extended to the Barbarians last year in a one-off match against BT Premiership side Heriot’s, adding to the vast experience they bring alongside London Scottish Head Coach Peter Richards, to complete the coaching group for the upcoming campaign.

Lineen said: “John [Dalziel] has enjoyed a lot of success in Scotland’s BT Premiership, and has been in the international under-20 programme for a number of years, so this appointment is another important step in his coaching career.

“Scottish Rugby’s partnership with London Scottish is helping us further develop our pathway for aspiring young coaches, as well as aspiring young players, that need game time at a certain level to help them progress into the professional environment.

It’s a big commitment, an excellent opportunity and I’m delighted he’s taking it on.”

[Big D]

Very good news for Scottish coaching.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I don't think this has been mentioned but to give an idea of how much this deal has changed from where it was a couple of months ago.

I had heard from multiple reliable sources before the deal initially collapsed that a certain experienced international winger, whose brother was also an international player was set to be one of the senior members of the 14.

So Lamont? I'd have been surprised he signed up to that. He is still part of international squads (albeit barely).

Isn't Max Evans looking for a job?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Be surprised if LS get anything out of this, that's a real unbalanced team quality wise. I make that 8 SQ.

15 Tom Galbraith 14 Ben Rath 13 Robbie Fergusson (c) 12 Harry Sheppard 11 Cameron Ives 10 Pete Lydon 9 Ed Hoadley 1 Grant Shiells 2 Dave Cherry 3 Ewan McQuillin 4 Hugh Taylor 5 Charlie Hewitt 6 Ally Miller 7 Joe Atkinson 8 Ifereimi Boladau

Replacements:
16 Devlin Hope 17 Jonny Harris 18 Phil Cringle 19 Dom McGeekie 20 Danny Kenny 21 Jamie Stevenson 22 George Cullen

[Big D]

Fergusson x2 and Miller on scoreboard yesterday

[OptimisticJock]

On sky sports 2 v Irish. Didn't realise they were struggling so much though. 2nd bottom.

[hp18]

On sky sports 2 v Irish. Didn't realise they were struggling so much though. 2nd bottom.

Didn't know it was that bad, but contract issue rumours then trying to pull a fast one on the SRU won't have helped. Hopefully they stay up.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Sorry, not related to the game but how the f*ck did LI keep hold of Ben Franks?

[sharvey44]

On sky sports 2 v Irish. Didn't realise they were struggling so much though. 2nd bottom.

They're 7th and have been for a while.Where did you get 2nd bottom from?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ ... ship/table

Greene King IPA Championship
Rank Team P W D L F A B Pts
1 London Irish 7 7 0 0 243 78 6 34
2 Yorkshire Carnegie 7 7 0 0 225 166 5 33
3 Ealing Trailfinders 7 4 1 2 165 157 2 20
4 Doncaster 7 4 0 3 162 132 3 19
5 Cornish Pirates 7 3 1 3 184 163 5 19
6 London Welsh 7 3 0 4 149 144 5 17
7 London Scottish 7 3 0 4 164 226 4 16
8 Rotherham Titans 7 3 0 4 157 174 3 15
9 Nottingham 7 3 0 4 138 167 3 15
10 Jersey 7 2 0 5 148 161 6 14
11 Bedford 7 2 0 5 145 154 5 13
12 Richmond 7 0 0 7 86 244 0 0

[sharvey44]

LW up in the High Court again today with a winding up order from HMRC. Not looking good.

[OptimisticJock]

On sky sports 2 v Irish. Didn't realise they were struggling so much though. 2nd bottom.

They're 7th and have been for a while.Where did you get 2nd bottom from?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ ... ship/table

Greene King IPA Championship
Rank Team P W D L F A B Pts
1 London Irish 7 7 0 0 243 78 6 34
2 Yorkshire Carnegie 7 7 0 0 225 166 5 33
3 Ealing Trailfinders 7 4 1 2 165 157 2 20
4 Doncaster 7 4 0 3 162 132 3 19
5 Cornish Pirates 7 3 1 3 184 163 5 19
6 London Welsh 7 3 0 4 149 144 5 17
7 London Scottish 7 3 0 4 164 226 4 16
8 Rotherham Titans 7 3 0 4 157 174 3 15
9 Nottingham 7 3 0 4 138 167 3 15
10 Jersey 7 2 0 5 148 161 6 14
11 Bedford 7 2 0 5 145 154 5 13
12 Richmond 7 0 0 7 86 244 0 0

SS2 had the 11th with LW 12th.

[sharvey44]

On sky sports 2 v Irish. Didn't realise they were struggling so much though. 2nd bottom.

They're 7th and have been for a while.Where did you get 2nd bottom from?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ ... ship/table

Greene King IPA Championship
Rank Team P W D L F A B Pts
1 London Irish 7 7 0 0 243 78 6 34
2 Yorkshire Carnegie 7 7 0 0 225 166 5 33
3 Ealing Trailfinders 7 4 1 2 165 157 2 20
4 Doncaster 7 4 0 3 162 132 3 19
5 Cornish Pirates 7 3 1 3 184 163 5 19
6 London Welsh 7 3 0 4 149 144 5 17
7 London Scottish 7 3 0 4 164 226 4 16
8 Rotherham Titans 7 3 0 4 157 174 3 15
9 Nottingham 7 3 0 4 138 167 3 15
10 Jersey 7 2 0 5 148 161 6 14
11 Bedford 7 2 0 5 145 154 5 13
12 Richmond 7 0 0 7 86 244 0 0

SS2 had the 11th with LW 12th.

Was that the 1989 league table?

edit: yep... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988%E2%8 ... vision_Two

[OptimisticJock]

Maybe they were doing a comparison.

Was that the last time they were in the same league?

[sharvey44]

Maybe they were doing a comparison.

Was that the last time they were in the same league?

Yeah. Last time all 3 were in the same league