1872 Cup Champions

[Big D]

I would let Cockerill chose within reason, although he did hand pick Mauger for Tigers and that didn't work and the Tigers approach had a lot of promoting from within so that was either board influence or Cockerills method.

I imagine Cockerill will be pretty hands on so any forwards coach will be working closely to him so would see a Scottish coach (not Scott) as fairly low risk. So with that in mind I would be encouraging him to take on a younger Scottish "apprentice" with the hope of developing a Scottish coach to take over.

In many respects I think the backs coach is the one where Cockerill and the SRU need to get it right regardless of where the coach comes from as it isn't Cockerills area of expertise.

The obvious Scottish option would be Mike Blair but not sure he really has the experience given the turnaround job needed

Blairs got the Scotland skills coach job:

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Rugby+Union

https://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-unio ... role/63084

A bit of jobs for the boys? Have Glasgow skills improved since Blair has retired?

[Cameo]

I'm not sure that is fair. Inexperienced but skills coach isnt exactly a high pressure role. Fairly natural for Townsend to pick someone he has worked with.

Glasgow have been relatively high skilled for a while now so would be harsh to expect massive improvements

[Big D]

I'm not sure that is fair. Inexperienced but skills coach isnt exactly a high pressure role. Fairly natural for Townsend to pick someone he has worked with.

Glasgow have been relatively high skilled for a while now so would be harsh to expect massive improvements

I think it is fair to ask questions about appointments to the national side.

It may also be a fair question to ask whether they could do with a fresh voice in their set up. It is very rare for a club coaching staff to be moved en masse into the national set up.

The answers may very well be neither are a bad thing (I'd mostly say they are a good thing) but that doesn't mean its unfair to ask questions.

[Big D]

So McCrae in as D coach. Hodge confirmed as staying.

Dalziel to take over the 7s after the u20 WC.

[Cameo]

I'm not sure that is fair. Inexperienced but skills coach isnt exactly a high pressure role. Fairly natural for Townsend to pick someone he has worked with.

Glasgow have been relatively high skilled for a while now so would be harsh to expect massive improvements

I think it is fair to ask questions about appointments to the national side.

It may also be a fair question to ask whether they could do with a fresh voice in their set up. It is very rare for a club coaching staff to be moved en masse into the national set up.

The answers may very well be neither are a bad thing (I'd mostly say they are a good thing) but that doesn't mean its unfair to ask questions.

Yeah sorry wasnt meaning to suggest it is unfair to ask questions just maybe unfair to see it as jobs for the boys or to have expected a big uplift in Glasgow's skills. I was thinking when I saw these new appointments that a bit of fresh thinking might help but I suppose the Scotland team have that with Macfarlane and Townsend and the clubs have it with Rennie and Cockerill

[Big D]

I'm not sure that is fair. Inexperienced but skills coach isnt exactly a high pressure role. Fairly natural for Townsend to pick someone he has worked with.

Glasgow have been relatively high skilled for a while now so would be harsh to expect massive improvements

I think it is fair to ask questions about appointments to the national side.

It may also be a fair question to ask whether they could do with a fresh voice in their set up. It is very rare for a club coaching staff to be moved en masse into the national set up.

The answers may very well be neither are a bad thing (I'd mostly say they are a good thing) but that doesn't mean its unfair to ask questions.

Yeah sorry wasnt meaning to suggest it is unfair to ask questions just maybe unfair to see it as jobs for the boys or to have expected a big uplift in Glasgow's skills. I was thinking when I saw these new appointments that a bit of fresh thinking might help but I suppose the Scotland team have that with Macfarlane and Townsend and the clubs have it with Rennie and Cockerill

I may have been a bit flippant on the Glasgow skills bit but I do think we should be asking questions of ex internationals (even good ones) being handed jobs. Some will deserve it but some wont. Blair has effectively replaced JOH with a reduced remit as Toony will take on the backs coaching I would imagine with Blair assisting him.

Steering this back to Edinburgh. What has Hodge done to merit the Edinburgh backs coach gig? Scotland markedly improved once he fucked off, Edinburgh have shown no improvement under him and his time as HC was an epic failure.

McCrae as defence coach is an "interesting" call. What has he done to show he can be a defence coach? Skills coach would have seemed a better fit.

There are guys doing a hard apprenticeship - Cairns, Fisher, Forrest, Dalziel etc who seem to be doing decent coaching jobs and all involved with the Scotland youth at some level IIRC. What did Hodge do really, that merited not having to do the hard yards?

Dalziel is one to keep an eye on. U20's coach, LS, U20's again and now 7's coach. The SRU are giving him a fair old apprenticeship.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Ben Toolis has been named in the Pro 12 dream team. I find it rather interesting as I think Toolis is one of a small group of excellent players that have criminally been ignored and underused by Cotter.

Well done to him and hope to see him feature plenty on the summer tour.

[Big D]

Ben Toolis has been named in the Pro 12 dream team. I find it rather interesting as I think Toolis is one of a small group of excellent players that have criminally been ignored and underused by Cotter.

Well done to him and hope to see him feature plenty on the summer tour.

Good effort in a pile of absolute shite around him. He has deserved squad places, but to be fair Swinson was good in the last 12 months.

I note Stringer has been let go by Sale. Would be a good mentor for SHC.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Ben Toolis has been named in the Pro 12 dream team. I find it rather interesting as I think Toolis is one of a small group of excellent players that have criminally been ignored and underused by Cotter.

Well done to him and hope to see him feature plenty on the summer tour.

Good effort in a pile of absolute shite around him. He has deserved squad places, but to be fair Swinson was good in the last 12 months.

I note Stringer has been let go by Sale. Would be a good mentor for SHC.

Possibly.

On that note Junior B has been released by Glasgow as well. I'm hoping that's related to his army/7s commitments rather than a question of his ability as I think he's twice the player Rory Hughes will ever be. Edinburgh should pick him up.

[Mikey Brown]

On the Blair thing I am fairly skeptical* but I hadn't realised he would still be with Glasgow too. It may actually be pretty useful to have some segue between Rennie (who I'm rather banking on having a lot to offer) and Townsend as well as the familiarity with the Glasgow players.

*In terms of both experience and of bringing a whole club set-up to this level, and expecting to be a vastly better side than Glasgow are, against top international sides.

Basically just waiting for Edinburgh to get their arses in gear.

[switchskier]

Kinghorn on the wing? Are we going full Chris Paterson with him now?

Ritchie against Faegerson in the backrow could be fun to watch.

[Cameo]

Ben Toolis has been named in the Pro 12 dream team. I find it rather interesting as I think Toolis is one of a small group of excellent players that have criminally been ignored and underused by Cotter.

Well done to him and hope to see him feature plenty on the summer tour.

In what way has Tools been criminally underused by Cotter? He is good but is clearly behind at least three players in his position

[Big D]

Ben Toolis has been named in the Pro 12 dream team. I find it rather interesting as I think Toolis is one of a small group of excellent players that have criminally been ignored and underused by Cotter.

Well done to him and hope to see him feature plenty on the summer tour.

In what way has Tools been criminally underused by Cotter? He is good but is clearly behind at least three players in his position

This season he has been. Last season he was clearly 3rd best available. Except for Gilchrists 1st year Toolis has been better than him every year and only this last season did Swindon out perform him imo. And through all that Toolis has barely cracked a squad IIRC.

Toolis has been massively under appreciated imo.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Ben Toolis has been named in the Pro 12 dream team. I find it rather interesting as I think Toolis is one of a small group of excellent players that have criminally been ignored and underused by Cotter.

Well done to him and hope to see him feature plenty on the summer tour.

In what way has Tools been criminally underused by Cotter? He is good but is clearly behind at least three players in his position

A shite and unfit Gilchrist parachuted into the starting XV against Italy springs to mind? I recall him not even making the bench last year when J Gray was ruled out v Ireland. Believe Harley got the slot...

Those spring to mind right now but I've certainly felt that some injury crises or development tours were excellent opportunities to develop Toolis and his domestic form definitely merited it.

[switchskier]

We look ok with ball in hand to start the game. Gilchrist with a couple of good carries so far. Fringe defence weak though.

[Big D]

So notable players out of contract are Bresler and Berghan.

Berghan would be no great loss. There would need to be another TH brought in though as being honest Bryce isn't up to it either.

Bresler would be a loss. Carmichael is still at the prospect stage really (definitely should get more gametime) and MacKenzie isn't as good as the others. There were rumours of CHH being brought in but even then there should be a more senior second row brought in.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

So notable players out of contract are Bresler and Berghan.

Berghan would be no great loss. There would need to be another TH brought in though as being honest Bryce isn't up to it either.

Bresler would be a loss. Carmichael is still at the prospect stage really (definitely should get more gametime) and MacKenzie isn't as good as the others. There were rumours of CHH being brought in but even then there should be a more senior second row brought in.

I don't know if there is a chance of Appiah's deal becoming permanent but i'd take him over Berghan any day. He covers both sides IIRC.

[sharvey44]

So notable players out of contract are Bresler and Berghan.

Berghan would be no great loss. There would need to be another TH brought in though as being honest Bryce isn't up to it either.

Bresler would be a loss. Carmichael is still at the prospect stage really (definitely should get more gametime) and MacKenzie isn't as good as the others. There were rumours of CHH being brought in but even then there should be a more senior second row brought in.

I don't know if there is a chance of Appiah's deal becoming permanent but i'd take him over Berghan any day. He covers both sides IIRC.

Appiah is confirmed to London Scottish

http://londonscottish.com/news/4931.php

[Big D]

Bresler, berghan and Kennedy not on the list of players leaving.

[Big D]

Rumours that after the 1-2-1s yesterday Hodge and Scott are leaving.

Wilkins new D coach at the westies.

[OptimisticJock]

??? Hodge was named as defence coach.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

So notable players out of contract are Bresler and Berghan.

Berghan would be no great loss. There would need to be another TH brought in though as being honest Bryce isn't up to it either.

Bresler would be a loss. Carmichael is still at the prospect stage really (definitely should get more gametime) and MacKenzie isn't as good as the others. There were rumours of CHH being brought in but even then there should be a more senior second row brought in.

I don't know if there is a chance of Appiah's deal becoming permanent but i'd take him over Berghan any day. He covers both sides IIRC.

Appiah is confirmed to London Scottish

http://londonscottish.com/news/4931.php

I think you've got a great signing there mate.

[Big D]

??? Hodge was named as defence coach.

Mccrae was.

Cockerill was in town yesterday and apparently had 1 2 1 talks with each coach. So the rumour goes.

[OptimisticJock]

??? Hodge was named as defence coach.

Mccrae was.

Cockerill was in town yesterday and apparently had 1 2 1 talks with each coach. So the rumour goes.

Sorry, attack coach.

Can't see them announcing the coaching staff and then binning them a week later.

[hp18]

??? Hodge was named as defence coach.

Mccrae was.

Cockerill was in town yesterday and apparently had 1 2 1 talks with each coach. So the rumour goes.

Sorry, attack coach.

Can't see them announcing the coaching staff and then binning them a week later.

Would be mildly hilarious though.