RugbyRebels

We all know this competition is a bit of a farce in terms of structure and the fact they cut the real season short for it.

BUT

It might turn out to fill the role of the A league that people have been wanting for years, or even better as it will have enough of the top players to up the standard, so I thought I'd give it a standalone thread.

Decent win from Edinburgh although they turned down the chance to go for the BP with five minutes to go in order to extend their lead from 8 to 11 points.

Of the youngsters, Currie and Muncaster looked very promising and Boyle had an excellent cameo with at least two turnovers. Hodgson is also growing each game. To me, Chamberlain's passing looks a little laboured and he is a bit clunky but games should help. His goalkicking was good.

Glasgow on Saturday with closer to a full strength team but Thompson, McLean and Forbes starting and Smith and Darge on the bench so plenty to interest. Mini Horne and Steyn are also back finally back.

Chamberlain had an off night

we will see some kids get a chance or two but I'd bet on much nearer full sides next week

Today, one to look out for if he gets some decent time is Lambert. Coaches have felt he wasn't ready to scrummage at this level but are very excited about his potential. Open field play for U20s was pretty good. Actually I think it was much better than that.

Cockerill has already said it'll ve closer to full strength next week which is a shame.

Chamberlain did look shaky at times last night but he is only going to learn by playing. I'd rather he and Shiel than VdW and Pyrgos in this tournament.

Big D wrote:Cockerill has already said it'll ve closer to full strength next week which is a shame.

Chamberlain did look shaky at times last night but he is only going to learn by playing. I'd rather he and Shiel than VdW and Pyrgos in this tournament.

Yep, I agree. Don't mind them mixing and matching though.

Glasgow's more experienced side had a terrible time and the kids had less chance to shine. Darge got 20 which is something and Lambert played about 60 and looked solid in the scrum.

They've held back some of the u20s to play in this so at least play them even if mixing in with the old guard.

U20 rugby may seem insignificant but for some it will be the last chance they get to play for Scotland. To lose that for 1 game v an Italian side would be a shame.

Are the players playing in this not going to make the u20 world cup? That would seem a pity.

Cameo wrote:Are the players playing in this not going to make the u20 world cup? That would seem a pity.

Are our 20s in the main WC this year? I thought we were relegated in the last one held? They will probably go to whatever comp that is. It completely slipped my mind.

Still would be a shame to miss the U20 6N for a game against Zebre.

Big D wrote:

Cameo wrote:Are the players playing in this not going to make the u20 world cup? That would seem a pity.

Are our 20s in the main WC this year? I thought we were relegated in the last one held? They will probably go to whatever comp that is. It completely slipped my mind.

Still would be a shame to miss the U20 6N for a game against Zebre.

we were relegated.
There is planned to be an U20 6N "early summer"

Decent game - Glasgow much the better team but Edinburgh stayed in it with three lineout tries.

For Glasgow, Price was very good and Forbes had his best game. It was nice to see McDouwal back and playing okay too. I think Ross Thompson is the real deal too. I think they need to give him plenty of games head of Weir next year. Miotta could be stuff competition too.

For Edinburgh, same old. No threat other than mauls. They did try and spread it a bit but no invention at all. Best thing was McInally being back and sharp.

Really think Edinburgh need to develop some sort of offloading game, players to execute but as soon as teams spread out the denfesive line Edinburgh have no option.

Glasgow were lucky not to have more yellow cards. Both George turner and niko should have been yellow carded for consistent penalties

The coaches need to go. How you can pick a young 10 only for the plan to be the forwards to truck it up or him pull a rabbit out the hat is pathetic. The number of times Chamberlain looked outside and the man was standing still or no one was there was bordering unprofessional.

I also have no interest in seeing the Lions playb in the remaining Edinburgh v Glasgow games. The Rainbow Cup is pointless from a competition pov now the 1872 is done.

Play the kids.

Tom Lambert and Rory Darge get starts for Glasgow. Lambert has been under pressure in the scrum but has been quite impressive I think. Big chance for Darge - I like how Wilson throws them in. Presume Ollie Smith is injured as Hastings is at fullback in Forbes' absence.

Edinburgh have Savala at 10 with Chamberlain on the bench.

Hopefully Savala has a good game .

I doubt he'll be in contention for July tests but I think he sees himself as an International at some point in his career.

Good win for the good guys.

ARM wrote:Good win for the good guys.

cracking game. Better side (by quite a margin) won, score flattered edinburgh.

septic 9 wrote:

ARM wrote:Good win for the good guys.

cracking game. Better side (by quite a margin) won, score flattered edinburgh.

Yeah, I enjoyed that. Defence was maybe a bit weak close to the line but some good tries. Thompson looked composed again and his kicking at goal is something special. The only thing not working for him at the moment is when he dummies and goes.

Kyle Steyn is looking Scotland quality.

Darge had a very good first start (decent carrying and a nuisance round the ruck) while Boyle looked impressive in his 20 mins.

Lambert was under pressure in the scrum and smashed a few times in the loose but keeps looking for work and started making ground on his carries later on.

Hastings also looked quite silky.

septic 9 wrote:

ARM wrote:Good win for the good guys.

cracking game. Better side (by quite a margin) won, score flattered edinburgh.

One team significantly better coached than the other. I can't see me leaving the "sack the Edinburgh coaches" bandwagon anytime soon.

Big D wrote:

septic 9 wrote:

ARM wrote:Good win for the good guys.

cracking game. Better side (by quite a margin) won, score flattered edinburgh.

One team significantly better coached than the other. I can't see me leaving the "sack the Edinburgh coaches" bandwagon anytime soon.

Me neither. He is quoted in the Offside Line saying "We have a lot of guys missing and have had difficulties in the No.10 position all season which hasn't helped us."

It's hard to say that is not accurate but:

1. His handling of Chamberlain hasn't helped (although Savala actually looks a bit more instinctive ball in hand)

2. Does this kind of comment help their confidence (he has made clear all season that he doesn't trust them)

3. The backs haven't been firing for seasons now - the personnel at 10 is only one out of many problems. I'm confident Thompson wouldn't be playing so well for Edinburgh.

He's done some good things but Edinburgh need a coach with some more ideas. The only good thing about their season this year is that it has quietened down those calling for Cockerill for Scotland.

Darge getting another start.

Also, seen a bit of Miotti at the Force over the last few weeks. Looks decent without being spectacular. No reason Thompson can't be aiming to be first choice ten next year still.

Watched Drags. v. Glasgow., thanks to S4C.

The TMO was man of the match. Or possibly, the season.

Tobylerone wrote:Watched Drags. v. Glasgow., thanks to S4C.

The TMO was man of the match. Or possibly, the season.

Haha, not sure he was wrong too often but I think about half the tries for disallowed!

Darge was very good. At least two turnover and has a good carrying game for his size.

Some nice moves in the backs. Not all perfect but looked like they are getting slicker.

Also Kyle Steyn has come back on fire. It's felt as if they have had a seasoned international come back from injury. I wonder if he is Glasgow's best 13 with Jones leaving or whether they want his size on the wing.

Cameo wrote:

Tobylerone wrote:Watched Drags. v. Glasgow., thanks to S4C.

The TMO was man of the match. Or possibly, the season.

Haha, not sure he was wrong too often but I think about half the tries for disallowed!

the disallowed tries were annoying, but TBF there was a case to disallow all 3. OTOH, the TMO's attempt to talk the ref into a red card for Fagerson was fucking ridiculous. Back to the good old days of outrageously biased welsh officials officiating welsh teams. WTF has the world come to when you depend on an Irish ref?

I think fagerson was unlucky/lucky

If the tackler had been 6 inches higher it’s a hand off and the try stands.

If the tackler was 6inches further forward it’s prob red/yellow


Think the Hastings try was the most harsh , yes he runs a line and yes he hits the player, but the player he hits gets back in the line and is stepped and it still takes a couple of phases.

Really thought I would like captains challenge as a way to mitigate for shithouse TMOs but I was wrong.

Yeah, I have changed my mind on the captain's challenge a bit too. It seems like to work it'd have to be as an alternative to other TMO interventions but I don't think that works either. At the moment it seems you have a choice of challenging or just kicking up enough fuss that the TMO looks at it anyway.

Maybe we have to accept rugby has a lot of niggly rules and they are going to cause frustration (plus only a small proportion of people want a career as a referee and they might not all be perfect or consistent).

Or you could go on the Glasgow board and begin to believe there is a giant conspiracy.