Squad 22/23

[The Chiel]

Nathan Chamberlain made the Championship Team of the Week. Brief highlights of LS' win at Hartpury here :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0C46DRdC_c

including evidence NC can now add illegal side clearouts to his CV !

[macdone]

Dobie has re signed with the weegies. A bit of a shame imo. 3 of the best 4 (incl Ben White) Scottish 9s across the M8.

Was only a 1 year deal (Same as we picked up Steele on), maybe he is waiting to see what Price does after the RWC year and will make a longer term decision either at GW or else where after that.

Interesting (not really) Rambos contract ran to November wonder if all that end in RWC year run later think other years contracts generally finish around June/July.

That's a good point. And will have to see what direction Edinburgh go in, who the coach is, who's at 10 etc. Glasgow are flying just now. I know Mike Blair really wanted him.

[bignose]

Glasgow are flying just now.

Rambo pun?

[macdone]

Glasgow are flying just now.

Rambo pun?

[Tichtheid]

There was an interesting piece flagged up on the FB page the other day, it’s the ins and outs for the squad.
If it’s accurate Jordan Venter is on his way back to us from Bath. I don’t recall that being a loan deal, but that is what is being said here

https://all.rugby/transfers/edinburgh

[liveinhope]

Interesting that,he's certainly never featured for Bath so far as I am aware.
The chart highlights our departures/losses in the back three-Immelmann,Hoyland ,Blain and (earlier in the season),Owsley. I know Harry Paterson now has a full contract but we clearly need to add to 2/3 players in there.
I recall MB saying recently that no rush to add as its very much now a "buyers' market" with so many more players available with reduced squads and the demise on Worcester and wasps. equally given we won't play again till perhaps mid October plenty of time to make good decisions-and probably wait for a new Head Coach so he can get the players he'd prefer.

[liveinhope]

Interesting that,he's certainly never featured for Bath so far as I am aware.
The chart highlights our departures/losses in the back three-Immelmann,Hoyland ,Blain and (earlier in the season),Owsley. I know Harry Paterson now has a full contract but we clearly need to add to 2/3 players in there.
I recall MB saying recently that no rush to add as its very much now a "buyers' market" with so many more players available with reduced squads and the demise on Worcester and wasps. equally given we won't play again till perhaps mid October plenty of time to make good decisions-and probably wait for a new Head Coach so he can get the players he'd prefer.

[dolf_lundgren]

That has to be wrong, he was basically a project player was he not, letting him live in England means the clock
Starts again for another 5yrs, I just can’t see why we would do that.

It was a bit odd the way he left but I’m pretty sure he was released. Can’t remember him playing but was certainly a big physical specimen.

[dolf_lundgren]

I watched the Edinburgh A game vs Southern Knights at the weekend, Im not convinced of the value of these games (I initially did think they were good idea) bt this seemed to be a bit men against boys. We played some nice stuff, but to be honest our real superiority was in the strength of the forwards and set peice, which should be obvious as we are fully pro and them part time

So I was a bit disappointed in out play in general, particular we didnt really look to lauch set strike moves, more jus play off the cuff.

In terms of who played well, Blythe Lafferty was pretty good ( we certainly can produce opensides!) other than that I thought Angus Williams and Jack Blain were the standouts. Which is a bit concerning, we know Williams is close to the starting 23 and he should really standout, but Blain just looked like a pro playing against amateurs, certainly looked bigger and faster than most, if he isnt good enough then it doesnt look like the others are either. I wanted to see more of Scott and Currie in the centre but cant say they did much of note. Murray McCallum I still dont think looks fit. I like him as a player and he is very powerful, but he just isnt dynamic enough for a modern prop at the moment, hopefully Newcastle can get him into shape and he fulfills his potential.

All caveated that I know they havent played together much etc and the likes of Currie was just coming back from injury.

[Friday Knight Lights]

I watched the Edinburgh A game vs Southern Knights at the weekend, Im not convinced of the value of these games (I initially did think they were good idea) bt this seemed to be a bit men against boys. We played some nice stuff, but to be honest our real superiority was in the strength of the forwards and set peice, which should be obvious as we are fully pro and them part time

So I was a bit disappointed in out play in general, particular we didnt really look to lauch set strike moves, more jus play off the cuff.

In terms of who played well, Blythe Lafferty was pretty good ( we certainly can produce opensides!) other than that I thought Angus Williams and Jack Blain were the standouts. Which is a bit concerning, we know Williams is close to the starting 23 and he should really standout, but Blain just looked like a pro playing against amateurs, certainly looked bigger and faster than most, if he isnt good enough then it doesnt look like the others are either. I wanted to see more of Scott and Currie in the centre but cant say they did much of note. Murray McCallum I still dont think looks fit. I like him as a player and he is very powerful, but he just isnt dynamic enough for a modern prop at the moment, hopefully Newcastle can get him into shape and he fulfills his potential.

All caveated that I know they havent played together much etc and the likes of Currie was just coming back from injury.

Blyth-Lafferty is actually a hooker!

It's interesting Edinburgh A are battering everyone but Glasgow A have lost 2/3. I think it's because we take it more seriously than they do.

[dolf_lundgren]

He certainly does a good impression of an openside! Was he converted from back row to hooker?

[dolf_lundgren]

Interesting point on the BBC story on Worcester that Steve Diamond is not completley out of the running to buy them, or at least the consortium he is fronting.

Im not really sold on him staying with us. I think if Lee Blackett is coming in that is a good thing though. I don't fully understand what the role for Diamond is if we already have Mallinder as a DOR and the contractual stuff is dealt with centrally.

if it is the role of mentor/support/consultant, I think there are more suitable candidates.

[The Feral Goat]

Shiel extends for 1 year.

Must be make or break for him next season

[Tichtheid]

Shiel extends for 1 year.

Must be make or break for him next season

Scott Steele is also here for just a year, initially at least, but we need three first team scrums halfs in the squad.

I read somewhere that Ben White had been linked with Edinburgh, but you read so much of that sort of thing I don't know whether to take it seriously or not.

Anyway, good news on Chico, I still think he has the makings of an international-quality player.

[bignose]

Anyway, good news on Chico, I still think he has the makings of an international-quality player.

Unfortunately "the makings of..." is not enough in professional sport