royc wrote:You can sack the coach as an instant answer, but it won't IMO change the basic problems. To do that needs a change of thinking along at HQ.
You can lose Hodge, but it won't affect the fact that:
- Both Scott and Wilkins are contracted through to end next season; how many senior coaches would take the gig on when they can't even choose their own assistants?
- The number of academy boys ready and good enough to step up is nothing like many fans' expectations, there are perhaps 4 or 5 at a stretch, but many are simply not big enough or good enough for the Pro game.
There are answers to all these things but they would take a couple of seasons to bring about change and it would require quite a shift in perceptions and expectations at the SRU.
I think Hodge will stay but the same can't be said for Scott and Wilkins. The forward pack's production is a disgrace for the amount of investment made in it and the defence is soft, it has been absolutely pathetic the last two weeks. The SRU can fire people if they want.
You can't say with any certainty how good academy players are at Pro12 level. What have Cosgrove, McCallum, Carmichael, Bradbury, Ritchie, Hoyland and Kinghorn all got in common? All young guys still in or recently out of the academy and performing well. McCallum has been one of the few who can hold his head up for his recent performances. Kinghorn was a gangly 18 year old barely out of school when he made his debut and was still one of our top performers. He did a great job of showing if you're good enough, you're big enough and old enough.
The SRU need to change their approach to Edinburgh and signing someone like Cockerill shows they're taking this more seriously. The change doesn't come with sticking with Hodge (who has won 3/11 Pro12 matches) and making excuses.
As for your reasons for the Leinster defeat they don't wash. (1) Leinster were missing their internationals and had injuries too. We lose regularly even with our best pack (2) We were outplaying them for the first half so there's absolutely no excuse for them to rack up 40 points in the second half our players couldn't be bothered. Hodge's Edinburgh have shown a propensity for 40 minutes of good rugby and 40 minutes of gutless rugby.