Season 2016/17

[disco]

I would also like to mention Chris Dean in dispatches. He seems to quietly be becoming quite a defender. Seems pretty good at holding up attackers in contact and knows how to win turnovers.

He was a really good defender last season, if he can get involved in attack more he has the potential to be a complete player - I think he looked better at 12 than he does at 13.

I noticed a wee while back that Dean was listed as a forward for Scotland under 18s. I'm assuming that means he played in the back row at school? Anyone know when he properly switched to the backline?

[Tichtheid]

I would also like to mention Chris Dean in dispatches. He seems to quietly be becoming quite a defender. Seems pretty good at holding up attackers in contact and knows how to win turnovers.

He was a really good defender last season, if he can get involved in attack more he has the potential to be a complete player - I think he looked better at 12 than he does at 13.

I noticed a wee while back that Dean was listed as a forward for Scotland under 18s. I'm assuming that means he played in the back row at school? Anyone know when he properly switched to the backline?

iirc he was a number 8 up through the Scotland age grades, then was contracted to the 7s. After that he signed with Embra as a centre

[disco]

He was a really good defender last season, if he can get involved in attack more he has the potential to be a complete player - I think he looked better at 12 than he does at 13.

I noticed a wee while back that Dean was listed as a forward for Scotland under 18s. I'm assuming that means he played in the back row at school? Anyone know when he properly switched to the backline?

iirc he was a number 8 up through the Scotland age grades, then was contracted to the 7s. After that he signed with Embra as a centre

Cheers. I think in this day and age it's certainly no bad thing for a centre to have experienced back row play. The intensity of tackling and work at the breakdown are definitely useful transferable skills for a midfielder to have to support his forwards.

[dolf_lundgren]

Im sure he played at least part of a game last year in the back row due to injuries.

Backrow and centre I suppose have similar skill sets to an extent. Hugh Blake playing last year was a surprise but he seemed to cope well. Im sure Tipuric could play centre but Gatland probably doesn't think he is big enough!

[gowrie]

Dean was a backrow in the U18s, but by the U20s had made the switch to centre.

[Tichtheid]

Dean was a backrow in the U18s, but by the U20s had made the switch to centre.

You're right enough, he is listed as a centre here http://www.scottishrugby.org/scotland-u ... chris-dean

Wasn't he also a schools 400m runner, or am I thinking of someone else?

[dolf_lundgren]

No thats me you are thinking of!

[Frenchy]

Dean was a backrow in the U18s, but by the U20s had made the switch to centre.

You're right enough, he is listed as a centre here http://www.scottishrugby.org/scotland-u ... chris-dean

Wasn't he also a schools 400m runner, or am I thinking of someone else?

Ben Robbins? Or did he do shorter distances?

[Tichtheid]

Ben Robbins? Or did he do shorter distances?

Good shout, a quick google shows it was Robbins, he's quoted in an interview talking about the 400m - he was national age group champ.

http://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/ho ... bins-58792

No mention of dolf, though, weirdly

[dolf_lundgren]

They must have wiped my name after I forgot to get a tue!

[dolf_lundgren]

Rumours that Northampton and Quins are sniffing around Watson, given the Hardie rumours from last season I really hope we arent going to go from having 2 excellent options to none in one summer. Unlikley we will keep both but one of them is almost essential. I have rarely seen either of them have a bad game.

[Friday Knight Lights]

Rumours that Northampton and Quins are sniffing around Watson, given the Hardie rumours from last season I really hope we arent going to go from having 2 excellent options to none in one summer. Unlikley we will keep both but one of them is almost essential. I have rarely seen either of them have a bad game.

I'm pretty sure we'll manage to keep one, anyway, Ritchie was sensational vs Ulster at 7 - I might be tempted to keep him there?

[ratty]

I was going to suggest the same although Ritchie looks like he has potential to bulk up quite a bit which might limit him to six. I think it's realistic to suggest one will be going. Watson has now proved he can do his ball carrying four man to stop him trick against international opposition so I'd suggest it will be him.

[gowrie]

On another note, just saw this

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/794566806937681920

The average age of @EdinburghRugby's starting XV this season is 25 years and 169 days, the youngest in @PRO12rugby 2016/17.

Good signs for the future.

[ratty]

Realistically some players will probably now have to move on. We have Scotland's 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice looseheads. Two international hookers who in my opinion are outplayed by Cochrane who would actually be my first choice! SHC can't get a look in and this probably won't change.