Edinburgh Rugby Squad 2021-22

[Ayton1keith]

Interesting to see Jack Blain playing for Co-optimists at Melrose 7s yesterday. Thought he did well last season either at wing or FB and someone who could push BK. Not been at any ER games this season due to my sons playing senior rugby, so can anyone tell me if the 2 Argentinians and the SA back 3 players who arrived in the summer, who I believe are tearing up trees, are keeping him out the team or if he just doesn’t cut the mustard at pro level.

[liveinhope]

Yes he looked promising but has had virtually no opportunities this season (possibly only one start?).
However,as you suggest he's competing against new signings-
Boffelli-frankly world class
Moyano-a very good international wing who's scored something like nine tries
Immelmann-generally been very sound and currently coming on well,a notch or two above Blain at present.
(and of course he was already competing against Graham and Hoyland!) And not forgetting Owsely.
So unfortunately difficult for him to get much of a look in and with an important run of games coming up possibly little chance of a shoy unless there are a couple of injuries.

[Trophyhunter]

Agree with last post . Blain is young and maybe just has to be patient and soak up as much learning from Boffeli and co . Young guys sometimes best to bide their time , work hard and allow their bodies and skills to catch up . A year from now personnel will inevitably move on and opportunity will open up. Meantime Super 6 , Sevens and squad rotation can manage successful transition from fringe to regular pick

[dolf_lundgren]

I really liked him when he played, decent pace and an eye for a gap. He has been unfortunate he has run into Mayano and Boff playing so well.

He is 22 now though and needs to be playing at a decent level of rugby. Whether that is at Edinburgh or elsewhere, having the odd run about isnt going to help him reach his potential. Although I agree he could learn a lot from Graham, Boff and Mayano. Where s6 needs to be either developed into a proper proving ground with a decent number of games or another way found.

[Ayton1keith]

I really liked him when he played, decent pace and an eye for a gap. He has been unfortunate he has run into Mayano and Boff playing so well.

He is 22 now though and needs to be playing at a decent level of rugby. Whether that is at Edinburgh or elsewhere, having the odd run about isnt going to help him reach his potential. Although I agree he could learn a lot from Graham, Boff and Mayano. Where s6 needs to be either developed into a proper proving ground with a decent number of games or another way found.

Have to ageee that he needs regular game time to develop but can’t help thinking that we (Scotland) have lost another decent prospect to NSQ players. I’m not against bringing in guys to help bolster the team but not to the detriment of home talent and therefore hinders the national team.

[JDCSR]

I think is the sometimes brutal reality of two pro teams.

Moyano, Immelman and Boffeli are high calibre players and we need them if we're to compete at the top end of the league with Graham obviously also at that level.

Blain and Hoyland are good players and the former a very good prospect but not at that level yet. Owsley probably in a similar bracket.

However hypothetically if Moyano tears his hamstring (please no...) in training today then Blain all of a sudden might find himself in the 23 far more often over the rest of the season so it could quickly change.

We've probably been a bit fortunate with few injuries in the back 3 this season beyond Hoyland. Both Argies seem to have durability within their long lists of attributes.

[doedin]

Its a difficult one but surely the bottom line is we need to have players who set the highest standards and challenge others. SQ and NSQ to try and reach these? Mike Blair has been very good in giving players their chances this season and has rotated the squad pretty well giving most an opportunity but at the same time fielding teams who have every chance of winning the games. He has picked the games to make changes in, the game against Pau was a good example of this, and everyone who took the field seemed to know the script, know their role and executed pretty well until we went well into the lead and the subs stifled the fluidity. I like to think Blair has a good eye for a player and will see what he needs to see in training and behind the scenes in order to judge where a player is at. I hear he judges everyone equally unlike previous coaches who had their favourites and also those they chose to freeze out. If Blain is good enough he will get his chance in the team. Hoyland I don't think has anything to prove to Blair and will be slotted back into team selections when he is fit and raring to go. Owlsley is still on a learning curve but did ok when we have seen him and perhaps his time has still to come for a late starter to the pro game?

[Friday Knight Lights]

How long is Bofelli's contract? I can't believe we got him. He's pure quality.

The reality for Blain is it's hard to reach Bofelli's level, Moyano is great too. Immelman I wasn't convinced by at all but has been good of late. Hard to see why on form they should be dropped. However, likely means Blain, Owsley and Henry will be lost from the pro game.

[robdinsdale]

How long is Bofelli's contract? I can't believe we got him. He's pure quality.

The reality for Blain is it's hard to reach Bofelli's level, Moyano is great too. Immelman I wasn't convinced by at all but has been good of late. Hard to see why on form they should be dropped. However, likely means Blain, Owsley and Henry will be lost from the pro game.

We definitely need back 3 players in the squad in addition to those 3 + Darcy though, if anything we've probably been quite lucky this season with injuries.

Where we do need to do better is getting the fringe players in the squad utilised elsewhere so they are not just sitting around in the gym waiting for callups. Henry has been getting good gametime with Southern Knights in the Super 6 and with Scotland 7s, there's no reason why Blain and Owsley couldn't have played as much.

[Friday Knight Lights]

How long is Bofelli's contract? I can't believe we got him. He's pure quality.

The reality for Blain is it's hard to reach Bofelli's level, Moyano is great too. Immelman I wasn't convinced by at all but has been good of late. Hard to see why on form they should be dropped. However, likely means Blain, Owsley and Henry will be lost from the pro game.

We definitely need back 3 players in the squad in addition to those 3 + Darcy though, if anything we've probably been quite lucky this season with injuries.

Where we do need to do better is getting the fringe players in the squad utilised elsewhere so they are not just sitting around in the gym waiting for callups. Henry has been getting good gametime with Southern Knights in the Super 6 and with Scotland 7s, there's no reason why Blain and Owsley couldn't have played as much.

Not sure about Henry's experience in the sevens. The sevens are losing every tournament, Beattie is an inexperienced coach, it's a different sport that requires different skills and fitness. And the SRU use it to warehouse players so they're doing something rather than nothing which is valid but not sure how ideal it is for development. He should have played after he was a standout in the super6 - but he didn't. So that shows what Blair thinks of him right now. I don't think we should drop the sevens completely but I think we should start treating it as a separate sport.

I agree they need to play and we need options. But now it's the business end of the season. We aren't not playing class internationals or an on form Immelman in the bigger games. They should have been sprinkled in earlier in the season. I'm sure Blair will learn.

Young Scottish back three players is low key a concern. None at Edinburgh coming through and Glasgow have McLean (he's had an off year), Forbes (see McLean without the clear physical talent) and Smith (sadly injured). They also have a good number of NSQ options there playing really well. Hogg is getting older, Maitland is probably one foot out the game and Steyn showed in the six nations he's not an option at wing. Townsend should be concerned.

[Trophyhunter]

Priority for Blair has to be to win as much as possible in close of season . Blain and other youngsters have years ahead of them and very fortunate to be training and potentially playing with top players and coaches rather than be forced into action under pressure with a weaker side as some before them have had to at Edinburgh.Biggest concern must be available props and let’s hope Nel does not pick up a ban to compound the problem. Boffeli and Moyano are top hires that have been a real bonus and class acts as is the unfortunate Hoyland . MB has held his nerve in introducing and playing Currie and Hutchinson at the expense of Johnstone and Dean on occasions so clearly has no fear in making tough calls in favour of younger players when he thinks they are up to it .

[The Feral Goat]

Crosbie re-signed and fit for weekend...Great on both counts

[Tichtheid]

Crosbie re-signed and fit for weekend...Great on both counts

Aye ditto, on both counts.

[doedin]

Excellent news about Crosbie. Crosbie, Muncaster and Boyle make for an exciting first choice back row and Crosbie is the oldest at 25/26. Our reserve back row of Watson, Mata and Ritchie ain't bad either.

[The Feral Goat]

Excellent news about Crosbie. Crosbie, Muncaster and Boyle make for an exciting first choice back row and Crosbie is the oldest at 25/26. Our reserve back row of Watson, Mata and Ritchie ain't bad either.

Crosbie is still only 24, Ritchie is the old yin at 25